Boardwalk by Ryburn's riverside.
On a cool but calm day a team comprising Angus, Jerry, Jak, Ken and Frank H worked on the riverside footpath (Ripponden 050) downstream of Slitheroe Bridge to install a boardwalk across a deteriorating section of the path. (see map for the approximate location)
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| 1. Map |
As with the earlier work on this riverside path, today's task was funded by Calderdale Highways.
The detail:
The task was to install a 900 mm width boardwalk with a handrail on the exposed side, and with approaches that blended into the existing path without the need for steps. Here's how the job went:
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| 2. The long view: riverside path with a precipitous banking threatening to collapse. |
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| 3. The bearers: support for the boardwalk stringers being installed. |
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| 4. Stringer test: Levels lengthways and laterally being established. |
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| 5. Boardwalk frame: Cross-treads at standard spacings being fixed to the two stringers. |
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| 6. The boardwalk: About 80 nails later . . . the frame is complete. |
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| 7. The handrail: posts being screw-bolted to a base timber |
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| 8. On the move: The completed handrail unit being carried into position. |
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| 9. Double bolting: handrail posts - vertical and evenly spaced - will protect walkers from the exposed drop. |
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| 10. Handrails: horizontal rails being positioned. |
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| 11. Hex-head timber fixings: Jak, the expert, at work. |
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| 12. Final touches: Approach graded with aggregate and 'fines'. Load-bearing test courtesy of the heavy four! |
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| 13. Job done . . . and what a lovely path this is. Enjoy! |
Overall, thanks to the thoughtful advanced planning of Angus, Ken and Jerry, this job went smoothly with the few minor glitches of terrain, timber and anchoring being easily overcome. The structure is secure, safe, stable and blends in almost unobtrusively with its surroundings. Neat job, guys.
