Penistone to Dunford Bridge clean-up

Penistone volunteers have a clean-up on Sunday 4th March

10am - 4.30 pm Meeting on the trail at Bullhouse Bridge (or onsite at about 10.15am).

This will be our last chance to deal with encroaching vegetation before handing over to the birds for the spring and summer. We will be tackling a particularly shady section about halfway between Bullhouse Bridge and Hazelhead Bridge; opening it up to allow the light and sunshine in, and creating habitat piles with the trimmings. The BMBC rangers will be working with us, and between us we should be able to make a real difference to this part of the trail. As usual you will need to wear old clothes, stout footwear, and a pair of thick gloves, plus waterproofs in case it rains. Bring some lunch, and a mug - free tea, coffee, and biscuits. If you are coming by car, please note that parking is extremely difficult at Hazelhead Bridge.

Withdrawal of equipment loan service

Sheffield City Council tell me that the equipment loan service will end on April 1st. This seems a false economy to me given the value of voluntary work to the council. What it will mean for us is that we won't be able to advertise clean-up events on a "just turn up" basis, as 

we won't know whether we have enough equipment to provide for anyone who turns up on spec. 

So I think it's a pretty short-sighted decision, and have written to Leigh Bramall to say so (email text below) You might want to do likewise to  leigh.bramall@sheffield.gov.uk.

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I was very disturbed to learn that the equipment loan service offered by Parks Countryside and Woodlands for clean-ups is to cease on April 1st. Although I appreciate that the Council is under pressure to make cuts it seems to me that this is very much a false economy. Voluntary groups in Sheffield do environmental work that is worth many thousands of pounds to the council  - for example Sustrans Rangers have already put in 29 hours of work this year and uplifted 20 bags of rubbish at a successful litter pick last sunday, working with the local community, See the report at 
http://sustranssheffield.blogspot.com/2012/02/sustrans-rangers-at-it-again.html

We would not be able to do this work if we were  not able to loan additional equipment from PCW so that we can be sure that everyone who turns up is given something worthwhile to do. 

I would urge you to re-think this decision  and find a way to continue this service.

Rother Valley Bridge Goes In!

Despite snowy conditions, the Bridge Lift over the River Rother took place this morning, the Rail bridge having been put in overnight. Here's a few pix, courtesy of Sustrans Ranger Morris Shapiro...

The river bridge arriving

the bridge being turned (on the first attempt the bridge was the wrong way round)

the bridge in place and the crane returning the straps to the lorry

The scene yesterday, before the snow

Council officers tell us that local residents have been asking for better walking and cycling links between Killamarsh and Halfway for over 20 years, so it's great that their persistence has finally paid off.

Sustrans Rangers at it again

Sustrans Rangers had a successful morning's clean-up at Manor Way, talked to a few locals who helped out and got off-site before the snow started. Here's a few photos: