Ryburn - Stile replacement along link path from Longley Lane to Lower Butterworth End.

There was a big team out today as Linda, Jak, Graham, Jerry and Angus headed to Longley Lane, below the Outhouse café (well worth a visit!) to replace a field stile and to clear some steps and a stone footbridge in Rough Hey Woods. As with other work in this area, this was funded by a donation from the Russell family. Again, a big 'thank you' to them.

The stile was located about 100 m along the right-of-way leading off Longley Lane (see map below). It was installed across a stone footpath next to a stone gate-post which meant that finding suitable positions for posts was difficult. The existing posts had rotted through and, being in the shade of the trees, the treadboard was very slippery.

Location of the stile circled in blue.

The stile to be replaced - plenty of water underfoot!

Graham contemplated how the job was to be done.

A view of the stile looking from the Longley Lane end. It's an interesting challenge.

The plan was to replace the stile with a small gate (recycled from another job). This would eliminate potential falls from a slippery stile (walkers are on a level causey path) and, if closed properly, would give security for any livestock in the field.

As Jerry, Graham and Angus started to dismantle the old stile and the timbers of the adjacent field entrance, Jak and Linda headed down to the Rough Hey Wood upper path where a stone 'footbridge' had become very slippery.

 

The slippery 'footbridge' circled in blue.

Last week we identified the poor surface condition of this footbridge - a result of leaf-fall and build-up of moss/algae. Jak and Linda set-to with hard brushes to clean the surface and also to remove dead leaves and fallen debris from the steps beyond.

 

The stone 'footbridge': 'before' and 'after' -  a lot safer now!

 

Similarly with the access steps - now cleaner and safer!

Meanwhile, back at the stile, Graham, Jerry and Angus (aka 'mud-monsters' at work!) were scrabbling about in mud and water trying to excavate suitable holes for the two gateposts and the corner fence post. This was difficult going as there was a lot of clay and some large stones to remove. 

Here's how it went . . .

Beware, "Mud Monsters" at work!

The posts in place and the re-cycled gate secured in place.

As Jerry, Jak and Angus finished securing the new gate and constructing post-and-rail fencing for the old field entrance, Linda and Graham started work on the overgrown footpath . . . to reveal hidden industrial history.

The finished gate complete with new sections of post-and-rail fence.

Graham discovers a long hidden and very impressive stone-setted path.

A satisfying day's work although there is still more path to uncover!