Barnsley workdays

The next two workdays on the Penistone-Dunford Bridge section of the TPT are.

Sunday 5th February - from Leapings Lane (Thurlstone) to Shore Hall Lane
Sunday 4th March      - between Bullhouse Bridge and Hazelhead Bridge

Kate says:- 

Each workday will tackle saplings and young trees which are overcrowding parts of the trail on this section. The workday in March will be the last chance to undertake this kind of work until the end of the nesting season in October. We will be assisted by BMBC rangers, so come along and enjoy yourself chopping, lopping, and chatting, and help us make a big difference to the trail!

Sunday 5th February

Meet at 10am, on the trail, just to the left of the access point on Leapings Lane, near Thurlstone. This is used regularly by motor vehicles crossing the track, so take care. We will have breaks in the morning and afternoon, and for lunch; finishing about four o'clock.

If you are travelling by car, there is parking next to the access point in Leapings Lane, and some in Shore Hall Lane, but in either case please be sure you are not causing a nuisance either to the people who live there or to other traffic using the roads. It may be possible to offer a lift from Penistone Station if you let me know in advance.

Please bring any tools you have which you think would be useful for this kind of work: bow saws, loppers, slashers, secateurs, etc. You might want to mark your tools so that you can easily identify them in case of duplication. If you don’t have tools it doesn’t matter - just bring yourself!

You will need to wear old clothing to keep you warm and offer some protection from brambles and so on; a pair of thick gloves to protect your hands; and waterproofs in case of rain. It would also be a good idea to wear stout footwear - the surface of the trail is very wet, and slippery with mud, in several places.

Spouses, partners, and friends are very welcome on both workdays - as are children on the understanding that you will be responsible for them and will supervise their working. In each case they will also need suitable gloves, protective clothing and so on.

You'll need to bring some lunch, but if you bring a mug we'll provide you with free coffee, tea, milk, and biscuits!

There is no need to let me know if you are coming, and if you can't make it until later, or want to join us for just part of the day, that’s fine.

Ranger events, 4th & 5th Feb 2012

The Signs are up.... 

Sustrans Rangers are having a busy weekend this weekend, so I thought we'd better let as many people as possible know what's going on.

On Saturday the 4th, we have a clean-up at the Manor Way access point to the National Cycle Network. We'd like get local people out and get as many people on the case as possible, so if you live locally, why not come along? If you have access to local community groups please let them know about this. Meet at the green space at Manor Way, at 10a.m and we aim to be off-site by 2. If additional litter-picking equipment is needed please let me know as I can loan this from Parks and Woodlands.

There will be monthly clean-ups and rides on the NCN throughout the spring and summer on the first Saturday of the month and I have a mailing list for interested parties.

On Sunday 5th, we are anticipating that the Bridge lift for the Connect2 scheme will take place at 10 a,m. For a bike ride to the site meet at Rother Valley Country Park cafe at 09:30.

* There will actually be plenty of space for people on foot/ bikes viewing the river bridge lift from the Trans Pennine Trail just to the east of the site (ie. where the TPT crosses over Sheffield Road) ---  as long as people keep off the road, the TPT provides tailor-made access and viewing platform.

 

*  We can't say exactly when the river bridge is going to be lifted in.  The target time is 10am, but there are a lot of variables with the time line for the overnight rail bridge lift and shifting the massive crane from rail side to river side.  You know what these things are like, it could be on time, or delays for wind conditions etc..

After the Bridge Lift, there will be a Sustrans Ranger ride to Rotherham following the NCN Route. From Rotherham there will be a walking (bike pushing) route inspection of the route from Rotherham to Meadowhall.

Owners of folding bikes can catch the 0834 Tram from Cathedral/stops in between to Halfway, arriving Halfway at 0909 (de-tram at Waterthorpe for a traffic-free route to Rother Valley.) Otherwise it's a one-hour ride out on NCN6/67. There's plenty of c*r parking at Rother Valley of course.

The best that the weather people can tell us for the weekend so far is that it's likely to be cold so wrap up warm!

For more info about Sustrans see
www.sustrans.org.uk

Bridge slide postponed

The bridge lift for the Killamarsh / Halfway Connect2 project -- scheduled for the morning of 15th January -- will be put back due to the bridge supplier's shot blast facility breaking down.

 

The main contractor is aiming for the back-up (related to the railway possession time) date of 5th February for the bridge lift.

 

We will put a further confirmation of the new date on the blog when we hear further. .

Mud slides & Bridge Slides

Rangers will be out and out this weekend:-

Saturday 7th, quick inspection ride around the network in Sheffield. Meet 10 a.m.

Also, we're looking forward Sunday the 15th when the Connect2 Bridge lift should take place over the River Rother at Killamarsh around 10a.m. (weather permitting) Catch the tram from town at 09:10 or meet us at Halfway at 09:50.Limited viewing facilities.