October the 5th and it still feels like Summer, well almost, apart from the drizzle, well the sun came out after we'd finished. Anyway, Carla, Chloe (new volunteer), Jerry and Angus, headed along the A58 to Cairnwood Drive, at the end of which, was a badly overgrown footpath leading down to Bar Lane. This footpath has been visited on several occasions, but yet again, and despite some work by the local householders, it was almost impassable.
Path off Cairnwood Drive is highlighted on the right of the map, the bridleway on the left.
The path as we found it, you can just see Chloe disappearing into the overgrowth!
Carla and Jerry started from the top and Chloe and Angus worked from the bottom, despite previous annual clearing, brambles. nettles, bindweed, ivy and various other shrubs had taken over. After a couple of hours the path reappeared and we were able to remove the majority of the cuttings to expose steps and a cleared thoroughfare.
The path clearance completed, steps cleaned and overhanging branches trimmed.
Having completed this in good time, we headed back to the bridleway which links the A58 with Bar Lane, work started on this a couple of weeks ago to cut back the overgrowth. Again, the vegetation on this bridleway is cut back annually, whilst it looks to be used by walkers, there wasn't much evidence of horse riders or mountain bikers taking this route which would help keep the growth under control.
The bridleway cleared and ready to welcome 2 footed, 4 hooved and 2 wheeled users.
Despite the rain at the end of the shift we managed to get a lot done, opening up these two routes from the busy A58 to other walks around the dams, along the Riverside path and up towards Scammonden reservoir gives plenty of options for the local community. A big thankyou to Ripponden Parish Council for funding this work.
