Track Surface Washed Away

This bridleway running mostly level or gently sloping between Shorts Lane and then up towards Piper House was surfaced in 2002. It was one of the first things done by SWT with lottery funds. At the time several of us could not understand why this stretch was chosen of all the tracks on Blacka. It seemed perfectly all right with no problems unlike some others that were severely eroded.

Eventually we decided it must have been an 'easy win' project which could be shown to new visitors to demonstrate what a fine job was being done. It seemed a major operation at the time with quantities of material being brought in and a resultant unnatural look and scarring which took some while to heal. Cross pieces were concrete kerbstones which raised some disapproving comments.

Now the recent heavy rains have washed away large parts of the new surface exposing the broken bricks and leaving an awkward trench which will cause problems for horse riders.

Interestingly the unsurfaced track down from Devil's Elbow which gets very muddy at times in winter seems unscathed by the rains.

Conclusions should be drawn!!