There has been a long standing and ever increasing problem on NCN 72 at Howdon Lane, Willington Quay, caused by ever encroaching vegetation to the extent the available path width made this section virtually single file. This section sees heavy use by cyclists, both local and long distant completing the C2C or Hadrian's Cycleway, by local residents using this as a walking route between Royal Quays and Willington Quay and is also well frequented by dog walkers.
Due to the narrowness of track conflicts were arising. This path is one of the oldest Bitmac paths on Tyneside and the grass has began to encroach and break though the surface.
Sustrans rangers fom the STARS group resolved to improve this situation.
Photos taken before Work day showing the extent of the probem.
It is hoped that this path will be completly rebuilt using funds from the Second Tyne Road Tunnel project when the area is landscaped after the tunnel is completed but as this would be several years away, it was decided to carry out this work to restore the original path width
Work planned:-
1/. Cut back the grass turves along one side to widen the path width.
2/. Cut back encroaching vegetation and undergrowth along the tree line.
3/. Remove a redundant sign for old link route to Tyne Pedestrian / Cycle Tunnel
4/. Clean grafitti on Millennium Milepost
5/. Collect litter.
Rangers in the STARS group were contacted and invited to take part and a good response
was achieved with 20 rangers promising to take part in the work planned including several
new rangers. Mike Dagley from the Manchester office asked to come along to assist
and meet the rangers - this offer was greatfully accepted.
A risk assessment was carried out prior to the day and resources / tools required gathered together for the task.
The WORK DAY - Oct 3rd.
In the days leading up to the work day the weather forecasts were not very good and on the day before severe weather warnings were in force for strong wind and rain. It was decided to review the situation on the morning of the workday and decide to go ahead or not.
The day dawned with very strong winds but clear blue skies - so the event went ahead.
The turn out was very good with 15 rangers and MikeD.
Doug, Phil and Lindsay brought along all the tools and refreshments required.
After a quick briefing work started at 10:00am. As it was too windy the Millennium Milpost was only cleaned of grafitti tags and will be re-painted next time.
Three teams quickly became established, one team working in advance of the other cutting back the undergrowth, next team cutting back the grass turf to find the original path edge. Almost 1.5m was trimmed back over a distance of 125m. The task was made slightly easier by the ground being wet and once a spade had cut underneath it was easy to lift. The follow up team cleared up, sweeping the track and placing the cut branches and vegetation on the other side of the track where it will form a natural habitate for wild life.
Doug sorted out the sign removal and refixed the other two signs which were loose -due to vandals swing on them. These were riftted using solid clamps and anti tamper bolts / nuts
Vegetation was cut back over a 500m section and all the low thorn scrub cleared out ready for the next phase of path widening at a later date. The long telescopic branch cutters proved ideal in reaching in under the thorn scub to cut the thorn saplings off at ground level.
At Noon a welcome break was taken for sandwiches and energy drinks. Once everyone was refreshed we continued for a further 2 hours completing the days tasks.
At the end of the day everyone was amazed at the progress that had been made and how much more inviting this section of track has now become with all users able to use the path without conflict. A further work day is to be organised to widen this path all the way to the start of the new tarmac track leading to the A19 bridge.
Despite the hurricane force winds and one heavy shower with horizontal rain, everybody had a great day and want to come back for more !!!!!!!!
Statistics:
16 rangers & staff
4 hours work
125m of track widened
500m of track cleared of encroaching vegetation
Mike and Stuart at the end of the day, Mike found he had two slow punctures so Stuart gave him a lift up to catch his train back to Manchester.
Compare these two views with the "before" photos
WELL DONE EVERYBODY
Report by Doug Ridgway, Liaison Ranger NCN 72
