Tag: steps

July 26th – The latest addition to the local architectural scene is a set of steps built by the Canal & River Trust down off the canal towpath at Clayhanger, to the foot of the embankment.

The steps are well made, have a sturdy handrail, are ballast filled and are well  levelled, painted and a really, really nice job.

If only we saw such attention to detail when urgent repairs were required.

The steps have only been built to allow surveyors access to the toe of the embankment, because scrambling down a bank is clearly too much for them.

This is funny in one way, but also opens up an area to kids and the nosey that was previously well hidden and a haven for wildlife wanting peace and quiet.

You couldn’t make it up.

October 30th – If you’re planning to go for a walk or ride, and part of the route involves getting from the canal to Bentley Mill Way in Walsall, the access steps between the two off the aqueduct are now fenced off and inaccessible, as part of the major roadworks that have closed the road for 13 moths to come.

You can still get down to the road from the Darlaston side, but the route is not pleasant and I’m not sure how long it’ll be before that’s inaccessible too.

Take care folks.

January 12th – The day, which had started beautifully, turned to grey murkiness before I got free. The mechanical issues of the previous day were still dogging the bike as I headed out to Chasewater. The canal was quiet, but Chasewater itself, surprisingly busy. A light mist dwelled in the air, and drizzle came and went. 

I notice the lake is mage 50-60mm off full again; just as it was at this time last year. I’m wondering if they’ll let it overflow again, maybe as a test. Perhaps the lake is just being used as a storm buffer for a while.

Fly Creek, where the boardwalk crosses is flooded, but the steps are currently being rebuilt anyway, so probably best not go that way for a while. Crossing it on a bike was fun. 

I came back over the common, which is showing evidence of wind damage. I also noted that the conifer saplings are still growing and choking the heather on the heath. Let’s hope removing those is a priority for the heathland management work to come.

January 15th – Today, I had to go to Butlers Lane instead of Blake Street, as I had somewhere to call in on the way. I’ve passed through this suburban halt many, many times, but never alighted here. I was impressed with the ramp/steps design for access. No good for the disabled, obviously, but this was clearly an old solution. I’ve documented steps with bike gutter-channels before, but this is a new one. You could, conceivably push a pushchair up there. The access to both platforms is the same. Neat, really.

November 9th – I’m fascinated by this bit of structural joinery at Blake Street Station. It’s nothing more than the wooden frame supporting the access steps to the Birmingham bound platform, but the way they’re erected is a work of art. At the base, they’re chocked level with two pairs  of perfectly cut reverse acting wedges. You don’t see that very often these days. I’d be interested to know how old this assembly is – had it been crated today, it would be a steel framework with jacking bolts, so it must be at least 2 or 3 decades old. The precision of the wedges makes me smile every time I see them. That was a joiner who understood his art.

February 20th – It had been a long time since I’d explored the old part of Wednesbury, and it still retains its old character. The steep alleys steps were still worn, and the handrail shiny with use. It was a really grey, overcast day, a far cry from the day before, but the views and rolling urban landscape as fascinating as ever. I like Wednesbury. Not as much as Darlaston, but Wednesbury always feels out of time and place. It may not be handsome, but it’s full of interesting stuff.

January 15th – I have to keep rolling. Despite feeling a bit grim, I embarked on a chilly ride around Brownhills, Chasewater and Hammerwich. The ice tyres made short work of the icy puddles and frozen track mud, and it was quite a blast. As I approached what has now been christened ‘Slough Railway Bridge’ in a sudden fit of bridge nameplate renewal by British Waterways, I noted something I’d been meaning to feature here for a while. Many folk don’t realise what the channel on the right of this flight of steps is for – it’s to push your bicycle up to the cycle track above from the towpath below. It’s only been installed in the last few years, and certainly makes the climb easier, and provides a trick challenge for the BMX kids. I see more an more of these about, and a fine thing they are, too.

I don’t care what British Waterways call it, it’ll always be the Cement Works Bridge to me…