Folly Lane is a lovely, old, partly-paved bridleway from Slitheroe Bridge up to Heys Lane. It had become very overgrown, making it almost impassable for horse riders and difficult for walkers. A large gang of CROWS - Angus, Charlie, Ginny, Graham Lynda and Rich - went to tackle the brambles, bilberry, holly and tree saplings that were encroaching onto the path. However, before we started, a precautionary check was made for any nesting birds . . . but luckily we didn't find any.
This job was funded by Calderdale Council Highways.
The details
THE BOTTOM SECTION
Charlie and Rich had a lot of brambles and bilberry to deal with!
THE MIDDLE SECTION
Angus and Ginny attacked the central section which was badly overgrown with holly. Whilst this had created an atmospheric wooded tunnel it made safe passage somewhat challenging; especially in wet conditions.
Removing the growth has opened up this section and now allows more sunlight to penetrate which will help to keep the bridleway dry, and (hopefully) encourage more grass growth in this formerly shaded area.
Before and after images of the first section of the holly growth.
Quality control? Close scrutiny from the residents of the adjoining field.
THE TOP SECTION
Lynda and Graham trekked to the start of the bridleway at Cliffe Lane.This section was relatively open but there were some well-established clumps of bramble covering the walls and both edges of the path. Many of the brambles had died back but fresh growth was appearing so, where possible, these were dug out and completely removed - an arduous task as they were deep rooted and growing through the walls! Gloves were a necessity . . . but not totally proof against some of the older, more stubborn thorns! Where the growth was too dense, an electric brush-cutter was used to do the initial cutting back with the growth into the walls then being removed by hand.
At the end of the session some of us went to look at a couple of bad drainage problems on Heys Lane - a future job to add to the list!
