Packhorse Bridge: revetment walling
The packhorse bridge that was repaired two weeks ago, lies at the junction of Daisy Bank Clough and Hippins Clough some 500 m below Lane Side off the Long Causeway at Blackshaw Head.
Today's task for Steve and Frank H was to continue with the construction of low revetment walls to protect the bridge footings from the dangers of erosion by what can be a fast flowing stream.
The work on this historic structure was funded by a donation from PNFS - The Peak and Northern Footpaths Society. Many thanks.
The detail
1. The perspective in picture 1 is deceptive but the downstream half of the bridge is in a state of rotational collapse and the only protection for the left-side of the downstream bank is a badly balanced stone slab!
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| 1. State of bridge before any work started: |
2. A start was made two weeks ago to build low retaining walls for the banking near the four corners of the bridge. Today, after a spell of dry weather, water levels were low and the stream was a trickle. In the wet, however, flow is vigorous, the danger of bank erosion significant and, without a bridge, crossing the small gully would be an interesting challenge!
The following pictures show the stone revetments - basically one-sided drystone walls - made structurally strong by 'throughs' going into the banking and tightly packed in-fills.
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| 2i. Same corner of bridge as in picture 1. |
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| 2ii. Aerial view of both upstream banks; now protected from water erosion |
It was a fine, hot, sunny day (a rare triple combination in the Upper Calder Valley!) for Steve and Frank to amend a few structural problems and eventually produce secure, stable, protective revetments. The 'walls' might not be the prettiest of structures but they should score highly on effectiveness . . . winter rain storms will be the test!
3. PNFS plaques
The 'Peak
and Northern Footpaths Society', a registered charity, funds work that improves
access to the countryside. A donation from them covered the costs of the
drystone walling team that repaired this Packhorse Bridge. PNFS plaques were
fitted to a post near the bridge.
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| PNFS plaque 1. We are not all eagle-eyed, so . . . |
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| PNFS plaque 2 |
Many thanks to the Peak and Northern Footpaths Society for their interest and generosity.
Further information about the PNFS (charity number 212219) can be found from their website https://www.pnfs.org.uk or via phone contact on 0161 480 3565.
