Every two years Natural England surveys the Pennine Way. Our job is to inspect the problems they have identified in Calderdale to see how CROWS can help sort them.
Rich, Andy, Kash, Neil, Ian S and Steve walked out four sections with clipboards, tape measures, pointed instruments and cameras. On the three days we did this, there was hardly any rain and not too much wind - a miracle!
1. Blackstone Edge to Callis (Todmorden and Erringden paths). Several bad drainage problems, some waymarking issues.
2. Callis to Colden (Blackshaw and Heptonstall paths). Fettling need on a number of steps, gates, stiles and brambles!
3. Colden to Widdop Road (Heptonstall paths). Several drainage problems, waymarking, and some cutting back needed
4. Widdop Road to Withins Height (Wadsworth paths). Mostly in good condition, but some issues that contractors need to deal with.
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| A classic Pennine Way drainage issue! |
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| So what is the problem here? |
The resulting schedule will be submitted to Calderdale Highways and Natural England. Fingers crossed the funding will be available to deal with at least some of the problems.
After thought
The Montane Spine race went up the Pennine Way in the wet in January. Some of the issues we identified indicated the damage that these large winter events can cause. We are lucky that most of our local running and walking event organisers work with us (and donate) to limit damage on the routes they use. We wonder whether the big national events organisers contribute in the same way? Just asking.
