Stephenson House (end of Burlees Lane):
It was a stunning day for Andy, Angus, Paul and Frank H to pitch into a selection of tasks one of which threatened to be problematic! Would the day end in success or disaster . . . read on.
We were working very near Stephenson House where a convenient, short, permissive path links Burlees Lane to the right-of-way (Hebden Royd 020) that heads South towards Hill House Clough, and where right-of-way (Hebden Royd 017) goes South-East towards Hill House Wood (see Map)
The tasks for the day were a single step repair; the embedding of a post with waymarks to clarify path directions; the installation of a revetment using recycled materials from a boardwalk; the reconfiguration of a single section of boardwalk and the reduction of a triple boardwalk to a single section which could be used to span the gully of a minor stream. Phew!
Today's work was funded by the landowner who also helped with parts of the task. Many thanks.
The detail
Paul and Andy worked on the step, post and revetment tasks before joining Angus and Frank who were investigating the state of the boardwalks.
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| 2. New step: One riser, two stobs, some infill and the single-step job is done. |
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| 3. The way is clear: Turn left to use a short permissive path or straight on for the Burlees Lane right-of-way |
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| 4. Path stabilising: Difficult to spot but the left side of this path is slipping away . . . |
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| 5. The stringer solution: Recycled timbers from a redundant boardwalk become a robust revetment. |
Meanwhile, further down the slope towards Hill House Wood, Angus and Frank were faced with a single boardwalk with several defects - a broken treadboard, the absence of any anchoring stobs!, no kickboards! and no bearers! . . . Mmm! Obviously a bad day for the original (unknown) constructors!
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| 6. Unusual view! Boardwalk upended to assess state of stringers and cross-treads. Both in adequate condition. |
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| 7. Resurrected! New bearers positioned, new anchoring stobs hammered in, cross-treads repaired, kickboards in place and take-off stone embedded. |
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| 8. Perilous! Original three-section boardwalk . . . soon to become one! |
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| 9. Best of the three: soundest section being re-positioned to bridge a minor gully. |
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| 10. Gang of three. Finishing touches to final section of boardwalk. |
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| 11. End result: Frank and Paul running critical eyes over the job. Pass or fail . . . ? |
This was potentially a tricky task but in the end two, sound, level, secure and stable sections of boardwalk were created from the original rickety structures. We were pleased with the end result that, despite consisting of mainly recycled timbers, should be good for years to come on this very well-used right-of-way. Dog walkers rejoice!