For the last 6 weeks or so a team have been at Falkland Road in an area we
call Zone C (the section between Claypit Lane and Birmingham Road). Although
the land has not yet been transferred to the Trust, we have been allowed access
in order to create a perimeter turf bund and fit a couple of sets of security
access gates.
The turf bund was subsequently planted atop with hedging whips
and the bund interspersed with trees planted at 10 metre intervals.
Several thousand square metres of turf was cut with a petrol driven turf cutter
that had been hired in. The turf cutting started in January and early morning
ground frosts made the job a lot more difficult as the turf cutting blade struggled
to cut through the frozen ground and the driven wheels struggled to gain traction
across the frozen ground.
Our team have been working two days per week and this was supplemented by the DoE’s working a couple of hours on a Saturday. Their numbers certainly helped the job along. Posts and two new gate sets were then installed towards the Birmingham Road end of the site. These gates have to open 180 degrees as they will eventually be used to receive the various materials to construct the twin locks in this area - which get us under Birmingham Road via the previously installed culvert sections.
As we completed the last of the turf bund it was amazing to find that just a little
bit of winter sunshine and rain added further difficulty as the grass started to re-
root itself.
Work in this section has now stopped until formal possession and planning
permission is granted.
MIke Babb
The team fitted gate furniture onto new gates and installed a double and a single
gate set at Falkland Road.
The specification called for 180° opening, hence the high ground clearances. The
additional batten on the double gate set is to cope with storms Dudley and
Eunice (until the team can install the drop bolts) - it was already getting a bit
blowy.
Photos by Michael Babb.
Falkland Road - Zone C
Finally we are nearing the Birmingham Road island with
our turf bunds.
Hopefully the DoE's (et al), will complete the last couple of
sections this Saturday. The first of several gate posts also in place. Location https://w3w.co/words.agent.behave
This is a question that we are asked so
many times, so we have been looking at the way we carry out some of our
work. We have found a way of improving our work methods to help speed
up the restoration process but it will require some investment to buy two pieces of new equipment..
1. A concrete mixing bucket. This can be fitted onto one of our excavators and by using the hydraulic services of the machine, the central auger carries out the mixing. This will increase productivity and will be cheaper than ordering a concrete delivery. We currently either mix concrete with a site mixer and pour from the mixer into the digger bucket, which is very labour intensive and involves double handling, adding to wear on the machine, or we use ready mix lorries for the larger concrete pours which has a massive cost to it and sometimes an additional standing charge for extended delivery period allowance.
2. A ‘vibro’ piling head. This is a hydraulic motor that fits onto a digger and creates a high frequency vibration to force steel piles into the ground. It is quieter than our existing method and doesn’t need a pre-dug channel to install the piles. This means we’ll be able to install piling at a much speedier rate, without the need for bulk excavations beforehand. It also means that we will be working from ground level with fewer volunteers. It can also be used to compact earth or concrete, so we’ll be able to use it to firm-in the banks, mixed concrete and paths, as well as install piling.
The cost. The total cost of these pieces of equipment is £10,000. We were fortunate to
receive legacy of £5,000 from a supporter, so we now need to raise £5,000.
(Our target amount is updated to reflect offline donations.)
We would appreciate any donations you can make to help towards the cost.
Please click this link and read about our
appeal. Thank you.
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust's equipment fundraiser.
As of March 14th £1,586 of £4,120 has been raised by 44 people. £2,964 to go.
The Darnford Lane Lift Bridge installed by the Trust in 1997 has received a much needed repainting by Thompson Protective Coatings, free of charge. Many thanks to Stuart and his team. 1st March 2022.
