It's winter! . . . so it's drainage work on Langfield Common!
Today, a team of four (RJ, Kasher, Duncan and Peter (welcome to Todmorden)) ventured onto Langfield Common to continue the job started last Friday by Ian V and RJ. We have been working on the track from the Shepherds' Rest up to Gaddings Dam via Jail Hole Quarry, on Tod 157.
There were two main tasks for today:
a) replace and/or reinstate the yellow-topped marker posts along this route
b) try to get the torrents of water off the path either into the ditches alongside the path or down the hillside.
The path is exceptionally well-used but is certainly suffering from water erosion in many places. We spent today clearing turnbys, digging channels to take water off the track and deepening ditches. We have installed a number of posts to indicate the route (although the track is so well-used that these replacement posts may seem redundant).
A number of sections need revetments installing or replacing to strengthen the sides of the pathway. We hope to be able to do this during our next work party. We will also reinstate a number of stone turnbys which have been damaged.
Today’s work was funded by Calderdale Council Ward Forum grant. Many thanks!
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| Tod 157 across Langfield Common. |
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| RJ trying to find the drainage ditch so that we could direct the water into it! |
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| The water had escaped from the ditch and was flooding the track. |
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| Duncan digging cross-drains to bring the water back into the ditch. |
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| Duncan trying to clear another section of boggy path. |
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| When it was dry the views were stunning. Stoodley Pike in the distance . . . and a new marker post in place too. |
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| RJ trying to salvage the timbers from the revetment which seems to have been burnt! |
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| Peter measuring up for one of the new revetments. |
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| The path, in places, just consisted of very slippery clay and peat. |
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| Our reward towards the end of the day - an amazing rainbow. |
