RIPPONDEN - from the riverside path to Quaker's Lane

Today was a return to the path beyond the old railway footbridge. The work was to replace some ruined steps coming down from Quakers Lane and to widen/clear the remaining path of loose stones. The team was Andrew, Andy, Frank H, Jerry and Rich, and the work was funded by Calderdale Highways.

We also had a site meeting with officers from Calderdale Council to try and sort out some significant safety issues on the railway bridge.

The details

After a long(ish) carry to the worksite the remnants of the old steps were removed and we were then faced with the following:

1. Before: the slope that needs new steps!

The revetment that will define one edge of the flight was eventually positioned . . . but, because of hidden pipework and obstructive ground, only after much trial and error!

2. The line of the steps being established

After measurement and calculation to determine the optimum spacing of the risers, construction progressed relatively smoothly. The revetment was pinned along its length with three stobs on the outer face. For each riser, one end was screw-nailed to the revetment and the other anchored by a stob. Later, additional stobs were used to 'corner-pin' both revetment and risers.

Here's how the work progressed:

3. First steps in place

4. Taking shape. Six in place - three more might do it!

                                           

5. The final corner-pin stob being put in place.

The non-revetment side of the steps was lined with stone and the step-tread areas were infilled with rubble, soil and flat stones . . . then it was time for the stress test! As expected . . . nothing collapsed! 

6. End of session i) - the flight of nine steps now
makes this slope (see picture 1) easy to negotiate.

          

7. End of session ii) Flight of steps without the model!

Additionally, working lower down the path, we widened and improved several sections.

8. Stone steps like this were rebuilt.

9. Sections of the path were cleared and widened.

Conditions were ideal for our work - fine weather, a sheltered location and an absence of predatory insects! Despite the long(ish) walk-in, the heavy loads and the strenuous nature of the task we managed to install all the steps and leave them safely negotiable. 

There is still some work to be done. If settlement occurs (a most likely event after heavy rain!) more in-fill of the tread areas will be needed and the non-revetment side would benefit from further stonework and cosmetic landscaping. One more session should be sufficient for these tasks and that of waymarking.