Today, a gang of seven (Ian S, Guy, Steve, Ginny, Jerry, Frank H and Rich) went to clear two public footpaths (yellow on the map) and a new permissive path (blue on the map) between the two. The route had been impassable for several years - a jungle of broom, brambles, holly bushes, tree saplings and nettles all had to be cut back. The route was also waymarked and a stream crossing improved. There is now a lovely through route from Buttress Lane to Booth Stead
Today's work was funded by Calderdale Council Highways.
The details
1. Clearing the public footpath before it joins the new permissive path
The gap stile was choked with brambles and broom - impossible to get through..
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| Before and after - a dramatic difference! |
2. The permissive path
This is a wide grassy track that needed i) an additional waymark post and ii) some cutting back.
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| i) One of the permissive path waymarks |
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| Before: Encroaching growth - dense holly tangled with brambles! |
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| After: Path now visible. Holly etc cut-back and brashings stacked tidily to form habitat piles. |
3. The top section of the public footpath
We were confronted by an impenetrable 'wall' of broom and brambles.
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| The first view! |
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| Loppers, shears, hedge cutter and bow saws |
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| After two hours, a wide clear path emerged |
Beyond the broom was a stretch of woodland that was overgrown with overhanging branches and dead trees over the path.
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| Before we started up the chainsaw |
4. The stream crossing
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| Not an easy crossing! |
