BLACKSHAW HEAD - Lane Side
David and Ian V spent a freezing cold morning getting wet and dirty whilst unblocking the channel below the pack horse bridge at Lane Side. This bridge had been repaired quite recently and we were concerned that if this blockage continued to grow there was a possibility that the arch of bridge could be lifted in the next heavy rain storm.
The packhorse bridge is about a kilometre to the west of Blackshaw Head
This was the problem.
Sort of similar to the fatbergs that block sewers - but without the stench!
Nevertheless, this matted mass of grass and soil was very difficult to shift. A few hours of heavy digging, dragging, and lifting were needed to remove it, and left us with frozen fingers, flooded wellies, and exhausted.
Clearing the channel downstream of the bridge
Finally it's cleared.
It's possible (likely?) that this blockage could occur again after heavy rain causing erosion of the upstream bank and carrying the resulting debris downstream. It will be necessary to keep a watch on this to avoid another "Lane Side Fatberg" building up.
This work was funded by public donations. Many thanks to all those who support our work.
