West
Vale Branch |
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| 12 January
2002 More bridleway diversion work |
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In December we had moved equipment to site
having cleared the route of the bridleway diversion in November. Now that
the digger was on-site we could remove the stumps from the copse and profile
the ground to reduce gradients. While Phil cracked on with this, Orph and
Richard started moving timbers from Alan's garden to site.
Because the diversion is temporary, we want to reclaim the scalpings at the end of its life. To do this we are putting down a liner to put the scalpings on and then placing thick timbers along down each side to retain the scalpings. The timbers chosen appear to be structural beams and are approximately 8"x4" and 6' to 7' long. They were wet and VERY heavy and needed to be carried the quarter mile to site by Richard and Orph on their shoulders. It was absolutely exhausting: the quarter mile walk back just about giving us time to recover for the next one. They did make a very comfortable bench though, as you can see below.
Whilst Orph and Richard shifted timbers, Phil continued to finish the diversion through the copse - profiling the ground and removing the stumps.
One particular stump was more troublesome than the others - Phil must have spent the best part of hour removing it.
One reason for his difficulties was a large rock that was caught in its roots. At first we got thought it might have been something to do with the canal, but our hopes proved unfounded.
Orph
surveys Phil's handiwork |
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