Foster Dam: torchlight finish!
On a clear, cold early-winter day with the temperature hovering around 0 Celsius, a hardy team of Andrew, Andy, Frank H, Jerry, Ken and Stella tackled the technically problematic footbridge and guardrails that cross the dam leat near the weir on Hebden Water (see blue dot on map).
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| Blue dot (rather small!) marks where an old 'sleeper' footbridge crosses the dam leat. |
It was a day beset by minor glitches mainly to do with levels, problematic stonework and six volunteers having to work in a constricted space. However, with an heroic amount of patience and the ability to adapt plan A, a sturdy bridge and guardrail structure gradually evolved.
This work and other repairs along the Foster Dam path are being funded by Trustees of the Foster Dam area, Hebden Royd Town Council, friends and family of Tim Mihailovic, and individual donations. Many thanks.
The detail
The original 'sleeper' footbridge had rotten, unstable guardrails and evidence of decay deep into the two old 'sleepers' that made up the walkway.
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| Picture 1. Guardrail of old footbridge sagging outwards over the 3 m drop into the dam leat It's one nudge away from total collapse! |
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| Picture 2: Detail of the rot that is typical throughout the guardrails of the old footbridge. |
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| Picture 3: Old guardrails removed and Stella (don't step back!) clearing debris to give a level working surface. |
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| Picture 4: Ken (taken slightly by surprise!) bolting new guardrail posts to one of the stringers that will support the walkway of the new footbridge. |
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| Picture 5: New guardrail posts and one stringer in place |
Another stringer will be installed in parallel and cross-treads fitted. The stringers at the end in view will be anchored to the existing stone platform and at the other end fixed to the wall by hanger brackets (visible behind Stella in picture 3). This means the new structure is held clear of the old footbridge. Construction, therefore, is made simpler because the old 'sleepers' can remain in place and act as a temporary working/walking surface.
This was a long and tricky task. We worked on into dusk to make sure a secure structure was in place. As sunlight faded, torchlight took over (see picture 6!)
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| Picture 6: The sun has set. It's working by torchlight to fit the remaining cross-treads. Well done guys! |
However, in daylight all was revealed:
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| Picture 7: Approach to bridge from Lee Mill Road |
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| Picture 8: Walkway across the dam leat towards Hebden Water. |
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| Picture 9: Approach to bridge from riverside path |
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| Picture 10: Overall view from downstream |
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| Picture 11: Overall view across the dam leat towards Hebden Water |
The footbridge is now safe and secure although there are still some items to finish - principally, the lowest of the three guardrails, anti-slip strips and a wooden step-up at the Hebden Water end of the bridge. Perhaps a morning session for two volunteers.
