Our most recent upland path project has seen us working on Glenridding Dodd over at Ullswater. The work was supported by a grant received from the Westmorland and Furness Shared Prosperity Fund and contributions from both the local community and the European Outdoor Conservation Association.
Helicopter lift at Glenridding Dodd
Due to the steepness of the path and its proximity to the road and housing, we installed some temporary fencing. This was to mitigate against the risk of any stones being dislodged and rolling down the hill during the helicopter operations and also whilst we work.
Looking up the path before starting work
The path was incredibly rubbly and mobile, which had caused people to spread out over the path to try and find an easier descent. This had caused damage to the surrounding vegetation and was only going to worsen over time.
The same section of path after work
We have narrowed the path and landscaped over any side paths, which we've grass seeded to help them revegetate.
The photograph below shows the steepness of the path and the proximity of the houses. Photographs looking up the path tend to not portray the path's true steepness.
Looking down the path on the lower sections
The section of stone path is about 100m in length, with three stone drains added immediately above where the stone path ends. Additional drains further up the path are being built by volunteers under the supervision of Matt, Area Ranger for the Volunteer Programme.
Eroded section about a third of the way up the path
As each section is completed, we grass seed the spoil and add turfs next to the side of the paths when possible. Unfortunately due to the Bracken and Heather cover, there is very little turf available to be cut.
Repaired section of path
Further up the path, a section of bedrock ran along the length of the left hand side, which had to be chipped out before the stones could be set in the ground.
Starting work higher up the path
With this section of path completed, it's hoped that the Heather can spread in from both sides as it will no longer be damaged by trampling.
Upper section after landscaping
You can see in the following two photographs just how the path is starting to settle in with it's surroundings.
Bottom of path before any work
One of the old side paths (which followed the fence line in the top photo) has been removed by landscaping and we worked on the pathline further to the right (below photo). The whole area has been reseeded and the Bracken is just starting to encroach. The two photos were taken just less than three months apart. Given a little more time, the eroded areas around the new path should once again merge into the fell-side.
Bottom of path after nearly 3 months
We've still got another few weeks of work to do on Glenridding Dodd. This will mostly involve moving rubble and soil away from the stone path further up the hill to remove a series of side paths. This spoil will once again be reseeded.
