TODMORDEN: Warland-Gaddings footbridge 2025

 Warland-Gaddings: Across the boggy moor

On a day forecast to deliver showers, light rain, heavy rain and thunder, a team comprising Andy, Angus, Frank H, Guy, Ian S, Jak, Jerry and Kasher embarked on building a boardwalk to bridge another sinking section of the popular Warland to Gaddings path (see map).

1. Map: the blue 'tag' is the approximate location

The detail:

There is much preparatory work for this type of task: e.g. initial surveys, liaising with landowners, obtaining access keys, ordering materials, cutting timbers, shaping and pre-drilling where possible, and organising tools, fixings and transport. 

It's just under 5 km along gated reservoir tracks to reach the A58 then another 10 km back to the CROWS depot in Mytholmroyd - a time consuming round trip if essential items are forgotten!

Happily, today, efficient planning and co-ordination meant everything went smoothly. Phew!

Here's a picture sequence of the task.

1. In the workshop: Over 100 timber items to
cut and several hundred holes to drill! (good
technique, Ken; correct stance, eye on task,
ears protected and stable workpiece).

2. CALVAG: Reliable as always in getting timbers to the
end of Warland Reservoir before a scenic return journey . . . 

. . . 3. alongside reservoirs at their lowest!

4. The transfer: All timbers (the stringers are 6.0 m long)
go onto the ATV (many thanks) to be dragged across
the moor to the worksite.

5. Sinking path: irretrievably disappearing into the mire!

6. Drainage: semi-temporary channels lower the 
water level. Mmm. It soon comes back!

7. Work begins: getting the pre-drilled stringers in the correct sequence.

8. Handrail posts: double-bolted to the stringers.

9. Assembly in the mist: The three stringers, cross-braced with
noggins, will have a handrail on one side.

10. Noggins: These 'tie' the stringers together 
to give a strong rigid structure.

11. Cross-tread time! 36 needed with 25 mm spacing.

12. Cross-treads from the other end.
Mmm! What happens in the middle?

13. Crows in a row: Lunchtime . . . with . . . 

. . . 14. Clearing skies i): Stoodley Pike comes into view and . . .

. . . 15 Clearing skies ii): for the keen-eyed 
a distant wind turbine array.

16. Anchors: Six 'stobs' (of varying sizes) on either
side. These help fix the boardwalk in place.
The one being hammered in is 2.4 m long!

17. Final tasks: Edge trims fitted, handrails screwed to
posts, diagonal brace fixed to exposed side-post, step-over
rail in place, cross-treads stapled to improve underfoot
grip and Angus phoning - for a pizza?

18. Team photo . . .  and stress-test for bridge and rails!

We were very happy with the outcome. The job went smoothly. No-one (and no tools!) disappeared into the 2.0+ m of bog, and the footbridge is sturdy, safe and aesthetically pleasing. The weather was no more than drizzly . . . until we set off (loaded with equipment) back to the vehicles when we got a thorough rinsing in a sharp, heavy shower. However, this petered out on the way back to give us a chance to . . .

19. . . . see how low the reservoir was and . . .

20  . . . spot a small amphibian (common frog)
clinging to the reservoir wall.

Today's work was funded by Calderdale Highways who, despite budget constraints, endeavour to maintain Calderdale's extensive rights-of-way network.

Ryburn - Rough Hey wood - Day 5

Jak, Jerry and Angus headed close to the site of last week's revetment work to replace an old boardwalk and a set of steps leading up to the edge of the wood next to the fields below Butterworth End. Many thanks to the Morrison family at Butterworth End for allowing us to park a vehicle in their yard, and a big 'thank you' to Richard Crowther of Far Bardsey farm whose land we accessed using Jerry's 4x4 to get close to the worksite. This saved a long trek with tools and materials.

Today's work was funded by a kind donation from the Russell family. Thank you from all at CROWS and also on behalf of the future users of this path.

Today's worksite is circled in blue.

The worksite was just beyond the fence line. Getting this close saved a lot of work and time.

The old boardwalk to be replaced.

Jak and Angus dismantling the old boardwalk.

Whilst the boardwalk was still functional, the bearers at each end along with several cross-treads and one of the stringers were badly rotted - being partially buried hadn't helped! Once dismantled, the ground was prepared to allow new bearers to be positioned so as to raise the height of the boardwalk. This should reduce the likelihood of it becoming buried.

Angus checking alignment before securing the new stringers.

Jak and Angus nailing down the new cross-treads.

Time for a coffee . . . and a seat with a view . . . 

.... into the woods.

The finished job . . . and Jak's first boardwalk. Jerry checking quality.

The second part of the day was to replace several old steps leading up to a stile at the top of the wood just above the boardwalk site. So far we had been lucky with the weather, but the rain made a sudden appearance. Fortunately it didn't hang about too long.

The steps to be replaced leading up to a stile.

These steps were originally built using a combination of existing outcrops, stone steps and various wooden constructions. We focussed on three steps near the stile i.e. those which posed the greatest challenge to walkers due to the tricky climb up/drop down. The ground was incredibly dry and compacted which made embedding the stobs a bit of a challenge.

Jerry excavating the old steps.

Once we had the stobs and risers in place we backfilled with stone and earth.

Top steps completed, the access is now easier, and safer.

The day's work done, we left . .  . taking care not to disturb Mr Crowther's contented cattle!

WALSDEN: Cranberry Dam area - Stile 1 continued and adventures with a boardwalk

 Ramsden Farm area: Border country for Stile 1 and a boardwalk by Stile 2

Ian S, David and Frank H continued the work on stiles that lead off the rough track that goes from Ramsden Lane towards Horse Pastures. The two main tasks for the day were:

i)  to complete the re-build of Stile 1 which was started last week.

ii) to repair the boardwalk (about 100 m south of Stile 1) that crosses a shallow ditch to access Stile 2.

1. Location: Stile 1 is marked with a blue 'pin'. Stile 2 is 100 m to the south.
The black line marks the Calderdale boundary.

Today's work was funded by Todmorden Wind Farm Through CFFC (Community Foundation For Calderdale). Many thanks.

The detail:

i) Stile 1: the work continues . . .

As a reminder  . . .

2. Original stile: suffers from collapsed steps and
side-uprights that are rotten at ground level.

3. Last week: End of session.

4. Work progresses: lower step legs now in
place and treadboard being positioned.

5. End product. A two-step stile with an impressive
electrical power supply in the background.

We were pleased with the end result. The two-step stile has four cross-rails and the step legs have been cross-braced (only just visible in picture). The approach areas have been landscaped and the stockfence was secured with an extra post (out of picture)) before re-tensioning. The stile is sturdy, safe, easily negotiated and aesthetically pleasing.

ii) Stile 2: The boardwalk.

This is the state of the stile and boardwalk before work began . . .

6. A rickety overgrown arrangement!

On close inspection the boardwalk was found to have rotten cross-treads, a missing anchoring stob, no kickboard, and stringers that were inadequately fixed to the bearers. The stringers themselves, however, were in decent condition.

The stile and its cross-rails, although somewhat ramshackle, seemed at first glance to be in a reasonable state . . . until the side-uprights were tested at ground level. Mmm! Mainly rotten mush! 

The step legs were sound but the treadboards will need replacing.

The plan for today was to secure the boardwalk and replace all the cross-treads . . .

7. Work begins: Out with the old.

8. Work progresses: Cross-treads removed but
will the stringers take a heavy load? . . . 

 

9. . . . Stress test: 85 kg - no problem!

10. End of session: In with the new -
walkway, kickboard and edge trim.

To complete what had been a very satisfying day, we measured-up for a replacement stile and then walked over to near Cranberry Dam to measure-up for a boardwalk to bridge the swampy gap between two existing boardwalks. Busy days ahead!

TODMORDEN and BLACKSHAW HEAD - A mini clear up session.

 A very hot day to be out and about. David and Kasher thought that they would tackle a growing list of small jobs. Unfortunately many of these small jobs ended up being larger than first thought..... The tasks at the bottom of the list will have to wait until next time. We have also added a few more things to the "to do" list.

Task 1:    Replacing one cross-tread of the bridge on Blackshaw 087 (the path that goes from Hippins to the dam).  We ended up replacing three cross-treads, nailing down many others and hammering in two stobs/poles to replace those that had rotted. This bridge is at least twenty years old and has seen better days! . . .  we may need to consider, at least, sorting out the hand-rail and the anchoring stobs.

Task 2:     Fixing the cross-rail on the stile on Tod 053 near Lower Mount Farm. We made this stile safer and easier to use and then managed to locate the marker post (thought to be lost!) half-way across the next field. We will return to this area to check a few more reported problems.

Task 3: Cutting back on Tod 064. This little-used and narrow path between a wall and a wire fence is too narrow to strim in many places so we resorted to the tried and tested method of sharp shears and strong forearms! The path is now cleared and, for once, dry!

Today's work has been funded by generous individual donation to CROWS. Many thanks. Many thanks also to the residents of Lower Mount Farm who provided welcome refreshments in the heat of the day.

Task 1

Bridge repairs at Hippins Clough.

The Hippins Clough bridge.

Some of the timbers have seen better days.

David and repairs in progress.

Task 2

Stile repairs at Lower Mount Farm.

An interesting stile in need of a little TLC.

David trying to remove barbed wire and staples.

A slightly more appealing stile!

Task 3

Tod 064 near Hartley Royd.

David doing battle with the midges and the vegetation.

Kasher managing to strim the wider sections of 
Tod 064.

The cleared path.

We will be working on the path near here 
very soon. The Bridleway is completely
overgrown.