CVLLP's Practical Projects Officer, Richard Whiting, has been working with a community group from St Edwards Park on a Communities Mean Business project. Volunteers came together during five visits to undertake fencing improvement to keep open a popular footpath from St Edwards Park.
During the project, volunteers produced risk assessments and publicity documents. Practical skills learned included measuring out the site, driving in fence posts, digging up tree root plates, cutting back vegetation, levelling the path surface, securing strainer posts and tensioning fencing wire.
Alongside the fencing works volunteers from the Churnet Valley Railway contributed to the project by repairing a footbridge on the route, welding on new metal tread plates.
Walkers who enjoy this route from St Edwards Park will be able to use a safe concessionary path that will link in to the Caldon Canal Towpath, keeping open a well used circular route should trains start re-using the line.