West
Vale Branch
Projects
Steppingstone Lane Bridge Restoration |
2
March 2002
Finishing the Bridleway Diversion
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| The February work
party left everything ready for the laying of the scalpings for the
bridleway diversion. It was decided to hold an extra work party to finish
the job. A full turnout ensured a good day's work.
Phil and Richard got to work first on the
section of bridleway where it exits the coppice away from the canal and
cross a culverted ditch. The scalpings had to be shifted up a short sharp
bank and the barrow pusher needed a shove to get him moving. |
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The scalpings are dumped by Phil to be spread and whacked later
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Meanwhile Chris and Orph set to work on the main section of the
bridleway.
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| In the right-hand
picture above you can see our retaining timbers wrapped in membrane on
either side of the path. The timbers and membrane will make it easier to
reclaim and reuse the scalpings when the bridge is complete and the
diversion is no longer needed. The bridleway has to be a minimum of 6 feet
wide.
Meanwhile Graham ensured there was
sufficient headroom for a horse (or was it a giraffe?) and rider and
tidied up the site, building a bonfire ready for next work party. |
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Alan spent a bit of time trying to make "balloon animals"
out of a plastic drainage pipe. His best effort by far was this snake
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Later he did what he does best and whacked the scalpings
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| By the end of the
day the diversion was complete except for the protective railings. These
will be completed in no time once we have an effective tool for banging
the posts in. |
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Alan whacks the final loose scalpings as the day draws to a close
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A view of the completed bridleway from the northern side
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The usual suspects
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