The footpath Hebden Royd 79 has been in dire condition for some time. The problem is mainly very poor drainage with a huge overgrowth of soft rush. Today's task for Kasher, Jerry, Rich, Guy, Jan, Nick and Ian V was to do a big cut-back to find out what was going on and to get as much water as possible off the path. Once this is done, we will come back to see if further interventions are needed. Hopefully, we will replace the boardwalks and marker posts on this route in the Spring.
We were so lucky with today's weather: the hills had a light covering of snow but the temperature was fine to work in and there was, strangely, no wind to make conditions intolerable.
Plans are afoot (by Yorkshire Water) for tree planting on this hillside. This will also include some improvement to the fencing.
Many thanks to the farmer here who has been extremely supportive in trying to improve this route. Thanks too for letting us have the keys to the gates so that we could get a vehicle and our tools closer to the work site.
The work on this path was funded by donations to CROWS.
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| Above Withens Clough reservoir at the start of the day..... bliss. |
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| The team assessing the problems. Looking up towards Sunderland Pasture. |
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| Jan: the drainage guru (?). |
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| The very wet walled lane which will need strimming at a later date. |
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| Guy contemplating life and the universe... and drainage issues. |
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| Jerry and LOTS of water! |
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| Ian and a floating boardwalk. This boardwalk will be replaced in the Spring. |
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| One of many completely waterlogged paths. |
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| Scraping the path to get down to the solid base. |
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| Clearing the mud etc off the path to get to the stone base. Walking this route is so much easier. |
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| Unearthing one of the boardwalks ..... and getting the water to flow under it! |
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| Creating drainage channels. |
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| The drainage team (minus one)! |
