It felt more like Spring when Jak, Lynda, Graham, Jerry and Angus headed up to Krumlin near Barkisland, to attend to a drainage problem on this well-used bridleway. The issue had been reported by a local dog walker who was concerned by the amount of water running down the path making it muddy and slippery - especially in sub-zero temperatures.
Unfortunately, this bridleway, and a similar one on nearby Slack Lane, have suffered from misuse by off-roaders and errant delivery drivers causing damage to the surface and the general drainage.
Today's work was funded by Ripponden Parish Council. Many thanks to them for their continued support.
The section of bridleway worked on is highlighted in blue.
The bridleway links Scammoden Road at Krumlin, to Saddleworth Road which runs from West Vale, over the M62 towards Saddleworth Moor. Overall, the track's surface is in good order, but water from a field drain is overflowing (hardly surprising with the amount of rain we have had over the last few weeks!). The task was to try, without compromising the integrity of the surface, to guide the water flow down one side of the track rather across its full width.
A consequence of the damaged and particularly boggy section of the bridleway was that users had taken to walking along the top of the banking. Additionally there was evidence of overgrown causey stones along this section which may have been the original link path between Ripponden, and Krumlin Mill.
Arial image of Krumlin Mill in 1935. The bridleway is off the road on the upper right.
After a couple of hours we had managed to coax the water into one main channel down the side of the track. This will reduce erosion on the track itself and make the journey for two (or four) legged walkers considerably drier.
Channel cleared and water flow now more controlled.
Footpath atop the banking cleared to make passage near the boggy section a bit easier.
