Let’s start off by getting this off our chests. We’ve had another another trail flattened into mediocrity by the gravel it over squad. This time the top of the iconic ‘Blue Pig’ as it drops out of Heptonstall.
It wasn’t the most gnar of trails at this point, but it retained sections of original cobble stones and worn flags that help make up the local character of Calderdale. And ask people to name trails in Hebden and they’re sure to mention the Blue Pig as it’s become a signature descent in the area. A trail that has pulling power, drawing in mtb’ers from outside the area complete with their ‘tourist dollar’ which help keep all the coffee shops, cafes, pubs, bearded bike guides and even the chippy going.
Which makes it all the more surprising that poor attempts at trail maintenance like this are carried out. Not only is the repair temporary (let’s face it it’s likely to wash out in the next lot of heavy rain we get), it’s buried any local character and is also bound to increase trail conflict. A fast and flat downhill with 1ft step downs built along its length encouraging a bit of speed and jumping, where previously riders were kept down to a less intimidating speed by the nature of the trail.
In the past we’ve been asked by Calderdale Council to highlight local trails of importance to riders so that a dialogue over proposed trail maintenance can ensure this sort of thing doesn’t happen. This time it seems to have failed. There has to be a recognition of the features and trails that make an area special, they’re the reason people travel to walk and ride here. There’s nothing inspiring about a flattened section of dumped and loose ‘quarry bottoms’; kill the character and you kill the reason people visit.
We’ve always been proud of the local riding we have here in Calderdale (in case you haven’t noticed ;o), until recently we were supportive of the Rights of Way team too. But when this sort of sanitisation is carried out it only increases speed, increases conflict and forces more riders onto footpaths.
If you want to tell the Rights of Way team how short sighted this ‘maintenance’ is email them here:Â highwaysandengineering@calderdale.gov.uk
Local riders? We’re getting organised:Â http://www.facebook.com/RideCalderdale
Got a better example of gravel flattened trail blandisation? Show us here: http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/monday-morning-debrief-no21-show-us-your-sanitisationÂ
It’s a disgrace. More like Centre Parcs than Calderdale. I’ve sent my email of complaint.
sad. and even worse, mad.
Why do they insist on making trails like that, can’t be good for horses either all that gravel.
Remarkable. Surely the aim should be sustainable high quality repair using the methods and material in line with how these bridleways and packhorse routes were constructed and maintained over the last 200-300 years. The rights of way team need to take a more considered approach.
My guess is that consideration to the terrain and original construction wasn’t taken. They just applied the cheap & quick’ method, which seems to be standard practise in repairing any public right of way at the moment, whether it be tracks, footpaths or roads.
Unfortunately this ridiculous “just gravel it all over” approach is also underway in East Yorkshire. Then it rains and washes it all away; complete waste of time and money. Metasequoia is bob on – sustainable maintenance in keeping with the original construction methods should be the way forward.
(drops to knees and flings arms to the air) Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
surely just gravel is going to be quite loose and dangerous for walkers? Or is it aggregate?
That was a great little drop down from the Heptonstall. We rode it a few weeks back. Who is it who’s making the decisions about this? Is it a case of them not consulting users? Or are comments being made then subsequently ignored?
Sad to see this. I’d be very angry if that was happening on my patch.
Hmm, if it only lasts a few rain storms won’t it become interesting again soon enoughj?
I’m sure it’ll ride up with wear.
This type of ‘fix’ does erode away pretty quickly but from my experience in the Lakes it just means there is then an eroded path but with loose gravel everywhere. It looks awful and is no fun to walk or ride.
No, it doesn’t get better with rain erosion because they dig the bigger rocks out of the trail that gave it the original character.
Just seems such a waste of time really, I can’t see how its an improvement for the existing user groups and I know from experience pushing a wheelchair on that surface is almost impossible.
I don’t know or ride the area, but often this sort of thing is a blanket response to some grumpy killjoys letter stating that a path is dangerous and the council are open to legal issues if they don’t fix it – in the hope that the council don’t actually do anything so they or one of their friends can then “trip up” at a later date, and refer to the earlier letter opening the council to settlement abuse.
Or maybe I’m being negative at the general nature of things these days….
Is it the end of the financial year by any chance….
As Ed-O says, they seem to remove the original sets, steps and stones, which accelerates the erosion of what remains. The methods they choose appear are best short term repairs masking the long-term damage they have unintentionally caused. To consciously take this maintenance route would seem nonsensical and counter-productive at all levels. These Bridleways are historically important and self-evidently form the basis of much of the walking and riding (horses and bikes) that is so important in Calderdale.
It would be good to have a considered response from the responsible team.
I think singletrackmatt may be onto something.
As Ed says often large rocks are removed to make the ‘bed’ for the new surface, worse still is as once it starts to erode away the gravel actually speeds up erosion of soft soil by moving under feel and wheels and acting as an abrasive. Depends what’s underneath it, but it could make it worse in the long run.
It’s nearly May which is a start of a new financial year.
Sorry, as well into the start.