Ginny and Rich worked on the path between the two bridges in preparation for the bridge replacement task that starts on on Wednesday. We removed all the encroaching vegetation and, in places, widened the path. We then removed the handrails and partially dismantled the bridges, ready for Wednesday's team.
This work is funded by HEC contractors, Cragg Vale Community Association, Hebden Royd Town Council, and a legacy from life-long rambler Gerald Hardwick.
The details
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| Path to be cut-back along edge of the dam |
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| Several sections of the path widened |
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| Handrails and some cross-treads removed |
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| Path entrances taped and warning signs put up! |
Meanwhile, back at the depot, Ken, Ray and Frank H received a large delivery of timber from CALVAG and started on the work of cutting handrail supports, pre-drilling holes for coach bolts or coach screws and labelling the timber so the right items will be installed the right way around in the right direction in the right place . . . Mmm! - too many variables?
The shorter footbridge has a considerable drop into mud of unknown depth! Once the stringers are in place, all the work of nailing cross-treads and fitting handrails (on both sides) will have to be done from 'above'. If any tools fall off the bridge they may well be irretrievable. The same applies to volunteers!
The longer footbridge is more accessible and, as was the case with the old bridge, will only need a handrail on one side, but it has some quirks of construction that will make the task on Wednesday (and possibly Friday) very interesting.
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| Handrail supports for the longer footbridge being temporarily positioned prior to drilling. There's a lot of meticulous work here. |
More later in the week, when we'll see if the policy of measuring twice, double-checking and drilling once has pre-empted most of the potential glitches!
