Another Spring morning saw Jak, Lynda, Jerry, Charlie and Angus back at the Riverside path, this time to replace the safety rail on a footbridge near Slitheroe bridge (see map below for location). The handrail had come to the end of its life with one section missing completely and the remainder starting to rot.
Red circle shows the location of the footbridge being worked on.
Images showing the old safety rail, missing end section and damaged treadboards.
The first job was to remove the old handrail structure which had been securely bolted to the main supporting bearers. As expected, the bolts were badly corroded and had to be removed using an angle grinder. The original bridge, however, was very well built and might have been constructed off-site before being located as one piece. Impressive!
Dismantling the existing structure.
Once the old handrail had been removed and the deck of the bridge cleaned, several rounds of measuring took place to ensure we got the spacing correct and could make a start by installing the central handrail post (one of five).
Team working at its best!
In an impressive display of teamwork the new handrail was fitted and a couple of rotted treadboards were replaced. As we were working, several walkers used the path and were most complimentary about CROWS' work.
The finished rail, secured and treated with wood preserver.
This is a great spot for birdwatchers. During our lunch break we spotted a Dipper fishing in the pool below Slitheroe bridge and, further along the river, we also saw a pair of Mandarin ducks.
As with the previous work on the Riverside path, today's task was funded by Calderdale Highways.
A dipper but not the one we saw! That was moving too quickly to get a photo!
