What a joy to be out in the Autumn sunshine, and doing what we Rangers do best! That is, making the National Cycle Network a better place for all users to enjoy. And, do you know what? We had so many positive comments this morning from cyclists, walkers, pram pushers and even ( I would like to think) a couple of the dogs who passed by us during our work day. No hint of complaint, or challenge about why we were there. Just sheer unadulterated praise for what we were doing.
David and Catherine had spotted this opportunity for us to attack on NCN 549, just a short way down the Manifold Trail from the very highly recommended Tea Junction and visitor centre. Excellent coffees.
The problem was that, before we got started the trail had shrunk to a very narrow width as trackside vegetation encroaches over the path towards the middle. There were also a lot of nasty overhangs. It all amounted to a section of "blind" bends with very little room for manoevre, should anything be coming the other way. Definitely dangerous, especially if people were travelling too fast. This track is very popular with multi-users including walkers, cyclists and horses who of course all travel at different speeds. The decreased width of track was undoubtedly causing problems.
With the Covid restrictions foremost in our pre-work day Risk Assessment, we were all very well disciplined about keeping a social distance from each other, as we spread out along the 80 metre problem section. we all bought our own tools and very soon had really good lines of sight through, what had only a short time before been quite dense undergrowth. Marion of Groundwork has taught us well about dealing with vegetation that is out of control, and how to leave the spoils of our labours tidily. She would have been proud of what we achieved today.
Clare is the latest recruit into our team and had travelled all the way down from Whaley Bridge to join us. I think she was as impressed as I was to see what the 6 of us managed to achieve in just over 2 hours. She muttered something about Plymouth rangers being a bit wary of overgrown brambles; I think that is what it was! She seemed to like our style anyway.
We decided that, rather than have too much of a good thing all at once, we would come back to this site in the New Year for part 2 of the work. As you can see from the photo below, the tarmac track extends to where Catherine is standing and shovels are required to push back the edge by about 2ft along the entire section. There is also an old tree to chop out and remove, so definitely enough work to keep an industrious and eager group of rangers going for another couple of hours.
With the sun still shining we returned to the car park for our (socially distanced) lunch before setting off on our bikes, back towards Hartington on the NCN 549. David showed us where the existing route down to the bridge in Berresford Dale is to be changed, so that it uses a less unsuitable bridleway. Then on into Hartington and out towards Sheen, before cutting across to the delightful settlement at Brund, before heading back to our cars at Hulme End.
A fantastic day out, lots achieved and a warm inner glow from all the (virtual of course) pats on the back from trail users who obviously appreciated what we were doing. Well done and thanks to everyone. Next work day is Monday 7 December when we will be returning to Rowsley for the final time this year.
