Repair and replacement work to the steps in Scaitcliffe Wood has been on our "to do" list for a while. This steep path (Tod 082) starts behind the old Scaitcliffe Hall and goes ever upwards towards Flailcroft. Regular readers of the blog will remember that we replaced 40+ steps below Flailcroft a couple of years ago (see blog of June 2023) The current work on the steps in Scaitcliffe Wood will make the overall route much safer to use. The path has been attracting increased footfall as it is on one of Christopher Goddard's Woodland walk routes (Route 19, 'The Woods of Todmorden').
RJ and Neil Mc (welcome back) decided that working in the shade of a wood on a hot summer's day was a sensible thing to do. The first flight of steps in the woodland are magnificent stone steps and then subsequent stone steps have been supplemented with wooden steps of various heights and sizes.
The team put in eight steps - some replacements and some completely new. They also removed a number of rotten stobs and broken risers which were a trip hazard. We will return to replace further steps on the hillside and to install revetment as needed. We will also widen the path where the route is narrow . . . and the drop severe!
Today's work has been funded by Todmorden Town Council. Many thanks.
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| 1. Map: Tod 082 rises steeply through Scaitcliffe Wood. |
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| 2. The bottom of the path: A magnificent flight of stone steps. |
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| 3. Trip hazard!: one of many - a stob from a step which is no longer there |
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| 4.Random old steps: often hidden in a carpet of beech leaves. |
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| 5. Big gaps: Additional steps will be needed here. |
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| 6. Progress: Eight new steps in place. |
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| 9. Blending in: The new steps lead neatly on from stone steps |
