Todmorden: on tour with Mick!
On a clear day (the lull before a threatened storm!) Mick and Frank H helped with a timber unload for a future boardwalk on Todmorden Moor and then went on to Walsden and up Inchfield Road to park at the start of the track that leads to Pasture Side Farm. Some distance along this track a path drops down to the top of the Naze where a right-of-way (Todmorden 122) descended to the stile that needed 'repair'.
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| Map 1: The blue 'tag' marks the worksite |
The muddy walk-in was not short(!) and it required three trips - two by Mick (heroic!) and one by Frank - to get all tools and materials to the worksite.
Today's task was funded by individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks.
The Detail:
The problem
Here's a picture of the stile:
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| Picture 1: Pre-work conditions |
The stockfence is a good example of competent workmanship. The wire mesh is well supported by fence posts and fully tensioned (via a turning post) between the main straining posts. It is topped by two parallel strands of barbed wire which are also correctly tensioned.
Unfortunately the stile is not of the same standard, because:
i) both side-posts are barely 200 mm into the ground (600 mm would be more appropriate!) and are mainly held in place by the tensioned fence.
ii) both the steps wobble; one more than the other because its leg is rotted through at ground level.
iii) the treadboards are too narrow and not horizontal.
iv) the first step-up is at about the correct height but the second step-up is too low (its legs were not long enough!)
v) the cross-rails slope and the top rail (also sloping) is far too high above the top of the second step.
The plan
We decided, for today, to carry out a full replacement of both steps and then firm-up the side-posts. A better solution for the latter is really needed . . . pending further negotiations and permissions.
The work begins:
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| Picture 2 (from down-slope side): The higher step-leg loosely in place and a hole prepared for lower step-leg. |
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| Picture 3: Mick did the sawing (and the extra carrying trip) and Frank did all the digging, adjustments and packing. Mmm! Who got the better bargain is up for debate! |
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| Picture 4 (from up-slope side): Two lower step legs and one higher leg in place. A hole awaits the other higher step-leg. |
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| Picture 5: More with the saw from Mick who is trimming the new, wider treadboards to length. |
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| Picture 6: First step-up ~ 300 mm above the ground; second step-up ~ another 300 mm up as per standards. |
