Wadsworth / Hebden Bridge

 Keighley Road Hebden Bridge and Far Nook Wadsworth

"On a cold and frosty morning" Nick and Paul set off to build some steps on a path that leads uphill from Far Nook toward Great Mount Quarries above Old Town. However, the solid frost-bitten sunless ground did not lend itself to the deft stroke of the spade, so, biding our time, we diverted to a smaller cutting-back job on a footpath leading up from Keighley Road in Hebden Bridge toward Hurst Road. This involved cutting back overhanging bushes at the entrance to a narrow walled and paved pathway by the side of Wood End. On completion, we turned our attention to the installation of six new steps on a treacherous muddy pathway near Far Nook.

The Keighley Road job was funded by generous donations from the public while work on steps near Far Nook was funded by Wadsworth Parish Council. Thank you to both.

Job 1:

Blue arrow indicating cut back job

The encroaching foliage hindered walkers and blocked the view of traffic on a busy 'A' road:

Overgrown!

Cutting back ensured easier passage and an improved sightline:

Clear.

Job 2:

Blue arrow indicating footpath uphill from Far Nook

The narrow pathway can be treacherous underfoot both ascending and descending;  particularly so in wet or icy conditions:

A wee bit frosty!

Our work here concentrated on the three sections of the path where steepness was most problematic. We started at the top end where the sun was just visible over the hilltop. Here we installed two new steps:

The rutted steep 'step' down.

The frosty ground was softening so work got underway.

Two new steps and path widened.

We then went on to the middle section of the path - a steep narrow stretch that was difficult to negotiate:

Tricky!

Here we installed three steps:

Nick: spade in hand!

Finally we completed our tasks for the day by installing a single step at the bottom of this section:

A bit of a drop down!

Voila!

Bottom step done and path widened.