Slack Lane: slippery-slope steps and heavy-duty walling.
On a day when the threatened, non-stop rain turned out merely to be occasional dampness, Ian S, Andy and Frank H worked at the Western end of Slack Lane to construct a series of steps and to rebuild a wall where a footpath (Sowerby Bridge 008) climbs up from the bridleway (Sowerby Bridge 009).
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| 1. The blue 'pin' marks the worksite: The views are extensive. |
Today's work was funded by Luddenden Mayor's Fund. Many thanks for your support.
The detail.
Ian and Andy worked on the steps and occasionally helped Frank who had the heavy lifting task of repairing the vandalised wall top.
The situation before work began was like this :
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| 2. Before: Slippery approach to a wall which is missing its top tiers of stonework. |
The slope has been eroded by heavy rainfall and the determined but slippery efforts of valiant walkers. This footpath and the lower bridleway (which contours around the hillside) are popular and we encountered several groups of walkers and runners during the day. Thank you for your interest and supportive comments.
The capping stones and their support tier of stones had been dislodged to tumble down the hillside. The lighter ones (visible in the picture) could be carried back up to the wall and others could be moved by using straps and the combined effort of the three of us. Unfortunately, three extremely heavy slabs had to be left in the undergrowth as their shape, size and the underfoot conditions made lifting and manoeuvring too hazardous.
Work could begin:
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| 3. Stage 1: four wooden steps already in place and wall top being levelled to accept capping stones. |
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| 4. Stage 2: More steps in place and, at the wall, capping stones in place on either side of the stone through-steps |
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| 5. At the wall: level surface being created to accept more capping stones. |
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| 6. Popular path: With care, it's safer to use. |
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| 7. Repairs progress: More capping stones or slabs needed! |
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| 8. End result: View of wall from field side. |
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| 9. End result: steps leading up to a stable wall. |
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| 10. End result: Overall view. |
Despite the slippery condition of the slope and (for the wall) a shortage of suitable stone we were pleased with the end result. There is still some work to be done - banking, infill and revetment for part of the steps and a check on stability (and whether a grab pole would be useful) for the wall - but the footpath and wall are now much safer in 'normal use' . . . as several walkers and runners could testify!
More in a week or so . . . once we have managed to straighten-up!
