Home and Away

Thursday 31^st July

Seven of the team in attendance for a variety of tasks. The initial split was into three groups – one group heading south, one group heading north and one group staying ‘at home’ in Winchcombe Yard.

Jonathan, Peter and Martin were the group heading south. First call was to deliver a IBU (large plastic tank) that we had surplus to requirements to a former Drainage HoD at Bishops Cleeve; a small donation to the general railway funds received in return. Then on to Swindon Lane bridge (42). This is on the schedule for a detailed external inspection this year; so the task here was to ensure that access was clear and that there was no vegetation obscuring the wing walls. Next was a visit to the end of the field track on the down side high mileage of Two Hedges Road. This is where our contactor has been working installing a larger diameter pipe to carry the ‘Bonsai World’ stream under the field track and footpath. The contractor started work on Tuesday – by today it was almost complete. Just some concrete to pour around the new inlet. This stream then flows in a crest ditch at the top of the embankment; eventually joining the inlet of culvert 40B. We now need some prolonged or heavy rain to get the stream flowing so we can check that this has eliminated the leakage down the embankment here.

The reinstated road tack and footpath leading to the gate to our neighbours field. [Photo by Jonathan]

The new inlet from Bonsai World with grill to prevent large objects and animals entering. [Photo by Jonathan]

Dave and Nigel took the north work. Again this was access and vegetation clearance prior to a detailed external inspection; the target was culvert 6B by the foot crossing at Laverton.

6B down side before clearing ... [Photo by Dave]

... and after. [Photo by Dave]

Next task was further north at Cross Drain 5A by Little Buckland bridge. Here they cleared and deepened the exit ditch from the lineside fence to the roadside. The roadside ditch that this flows into has a very shallow gradient; and is very shallow. Gloucester County Highways have no plans to improve it.

Nigel working on the outlet of 5A at Little Buckland - the fence is not the railway boundary here. Like at a lot of the underbridges; the railway land extends in a triangle towards the road. [Photo by Dave]

So we are going to take steps to limit the quantity of water flowing through 5A. To this end we will install a brick dam in the downside toe ditch alongside Archer Farm to route the majority of the water flowing from the farm’s drains south to Cross Drain 5B.

Temporary plywood dam in the down side toe ditch - this to be replaced with a nice brick version. [Photo by Dave]

Ian and Andrew were the two who stayed at home. This was to work on the repair of three of our brush cutters. However, the scope of the task soon expanded to start the reorganisation of our area of the old wooden shed. The reason – we first had to locate a new mounting collar for the big FS560 brush cutter. Not in the spares box; not in the small red cupboard, not with the rest of the bits of the 560; not fallen on the floor under the bags of cement; not under the flail – but eventually found on the top of the red cupboard hidden under bundles of paper towels. However, all that searching has meant that we now have more room in the shed; with much easier access to tools, bags of cement, the portable generator and the flail. Further tidying and reorganising of the shed will have to wait for the roof to be repaired and for S&T to complete their move to their new workshop. Ian successfully repaired all three of the brush cutters – so we are now back to full strength of 9 working machines. Once the bird nesting season comes to an end on 1^st September; we, and our Lineside Clearance colleagues, will be making a lot of use of these machines.

Inside the wooden shed after the initial tidy-up.

On return from their expedition south, Jonathan, Peter and Martin lent a hand with the shed reorganisation. Then after lunch they headed to the River Isbourne bridge to take advantage of the low water levels to remove vegetation that had started to grown out of the stone gabions. They were able to complete the down (upstream) side – the up (downstream) side will have to wait for the access and the wing walls to be cleared. Because of the rain earlier in the day – this was too slippery to undertake safely.

Wildlife report: Today’s highlight sighting was that of a kingfisher flying low over the River Isbourne.

To the Deep South

Thursday 24^th July

This year, the programme of detailed inspections of our civil engineering structures includes some of the larger culverts and bridges over watercourses. To facilitate the visit by the external contractors, we are clearing the access routes, and any obscuring vegetation. At the beginning of the month, the team tacked some of those at the northern end of the line, today it was the turn of the southern most end at Cheltenham Racecourse and south of Hunting Butts tunnel.

A team of nine arrived early at Winchcombe yard, the school holidays making a significant reduction in road traffic and consequently quicker journey times. We loaded up three vehicles with our tools for the day – then all set off for Swindon Lane. With the closure of the A435 past the Racecourse, this proved to be a slow journey via Winchcombe and Prestbury. All the team then carried the equipment to the first work site, culvert 44A. Martin, Ian and John tackled the down side inlet, this involved some chain saw work to remove branches of several fallen trees. Dave, Nigel and Peter headed to the up side; quite a walk as that as access is from the adjoining field, not directly down the embankment.

Nigel and Peter working on the up side outlet of 44A. Very rarely is it possible to stand on the culvert invert here. [Photo by Dave]

44A down side inlet headwall. [Photo by Dave]

Looking right through 44A from the down side. [Photo by Dave]

We had to leave one big tree trunk on the access to 44A down side; it is too big for our chainsaws. [Photo by Sarah]

Meanwhile Jonathan, Polly and Andrew took a small set of tools further south to culvert 45A, Wymans Brook. This is on the boundary of GWSR land; further south the embankment is breached by Prince Regent Avenue. After clearing the west side exit, they headed over to the east side. Here the challenge is to find the chimney manhole which is above the burred headwall where the pipe from Pitville Park lake ends. Infrastructure Manager Sarah joined for the search, her first visit to this outpost of the GWSR empire. Having completed the work at 44A, the other two teams then arrived. This enabled three of the team using brush cutters to very quickly clear an access route to the chimney. After that it was lunchtime.

An interesting piece of ironwork we found in the outlet of 45A Wymans Brook. Has anyone an idea was it was used for?

Jonathan raking up cuttings from the bed of 45A outlet.

The 45A inlet manhole chimney.

Lunchtime at Prince Regent Avenue. This time of year, deck chairs are important items of kit. [Photo by Jonathan]

After lunch, all nine headed for Cheltenham Racecourse to tackle the Hyde Brook watercourse which runs through underbridge 42A. Ian, John, Peter and Andrew tacked the up side; access to that is from the lineside by the Cheltenham Racecourse Up Advanced Starting signal. The other five dealt with the down side inlet – accessed from the footpath beside the racecourse road. This was another location where the winter storms had brought down some large branches. They also pruned a large willow tree which was overhanging the footpath.

Looking through bridge 42A from the up (outlet) side - reflection of one of the team working on the inlet down side just visible.

Bridge 42A, Hyde Brook inlet (down side) after clearing. [Photo by Jonathan]

 

Close up of the 42A inlet wing and headwalls - this is a big structure, hence why it is a bridge not a culvert. [Photo by Dave]

Wildlife report: One word sums up today – blackberries. Lots of berries ripening at all of our work sites. Our taste testers found some of the sweetest on the down side near 44A. Some ripening plums on a tree at Wymans Brook were noted – but they are not quite ripe enough to eat yet. 

Blackberries.

  

Jungle bashing

Thursday 17^th July

A return to a normal size work force of  nine today.

Jonathan, Polly and Peter travelled to Pecked Lane crossing at Bishops Cleeve. The main task was to fit mesh over the grids covering the down side entry of culvert 39A. This is to prevent some anti social behaviour by some users of the crossing who regularly toss filled dog poo bags into the culvert.

Wire mesh added on the top of the metal grids of culvert 39A inlet.

Whilst attending to this, they noted that just inside the down side entry, there is a large accumulation of silt which is causing the flow of water to enter the down side cess. Removing the metal inspection lid on the up side exit confirmed that no water is actually flowing through the culvert. To gain access to remove the silt will require removal of the metal grids on the down side inlet. We have provisionally planned for this next week.

The bar of silt is just visible immediately under the inlet entry on the down side of 38A.

From above.

Whilst at Pecked Lane, they checked on three items on the defect register concerning fencing – one had already been rectified. Also Polly added more mortar to the cracks in the down side wall of the crossing approach ramp. Obviously the continuing dry weather is causing the ground to shrink further. Maybe some attention to this structure, combined with a facing of blue engineering bricks will be one of our future projects.

More repointing on Pecked Lane crossing down side access ramp. 

The other six attendees (Roger, Ian, Andrew. Nigel, Dave, Martin) headed to the Willow Drive mobile home park at Woodmancote. One of the residents there had grated us permission to access the down side of the line through his garden, even removing the larch lap panels from his fence to facilitate this. This enabled us to safely and comfortably access the inlet of culvert 38A and the toe ditch that runs either side of it. This was like a jungle. First we removed a large quantity of bramble and ivy covering the original fence line by the resident’s garden. Dave and Nigel then proceeded in the Cheltenham direction, clearing the toe ditch up to the point where it ends.

Dave and Nigel's handiwork on the high mileage end of the ditch. A month ago this was impenetrable. 

Clearing the vegetation from the ditch reveals a lot of other debris, including old concrete fence posts that will have to be removed later

In places the land outside the railway boundary has been raised, but the ditch is now undercutting that. Our current thoughts are to pipe some of the sections of this ditch.

They also cleared around the down side headwall of culvert 38A. Ian and Roger headed in the opposite direction, clearing the ditch back to the point where our colleagues from Lineside Clearance had reached a few weeks ago. Meanwhile Martin and Andrew, our chain saw operators, tacked some of the larger branches around the stream.

Martin gets to grip with some of the thicker ivy.

The continuing dry spell was a bonus, the 38A stream was just a trickle and the toe ditch was just damp in places. However the hot humid weather made for uncomfortable work whilst wearing full brush cutting or chain sawing PPE. Fortunately for most of the day the sun was not shining.

In this hot weather, frequent breaks are essential. (L to R: Ian, Roger, Martin, Nigel, Dave)

Jonathan, Polly and Peter joined the team at Willow Drive at lunchtime. They loaded the tipper transit with the larger items of debris, tree trunks, fence posts and rails and several lengths of wire from the original GWR post and wire fencing. Broken wire is a hazard to brush cutters. Finally we cleared the area on the down side embankment above the culvert bore. This prevents any roots from vegetation penetrating the brick arch. Special mention to Roger and Ian who skilfully handled brush cutters on this very steep embankment.

Roger clearing from the trackside down the embankment - immediately prior to discovering the wasps nest.

Ian clearing up the embankment, watched by others in the group from the resident's garden.

The original line of the boundary fence is apparent from the remaining GWR post now at angle.

At the end of the day, the transformation was very noticeable. However, we will need some further visits here to fully mulch the vegetation we cut today; to remove some more large branches and saplings; also to clear some obstructions in the toe ditch on the low mileage side of the culvert and to clear along the boundary fence line up to Station Road Bridge. Also back towards the exit of cross drain 37G near footpath underbridge 38 is another length of toe ditch requiring vegetation cutting. This will have to wait until a treated patch of Japanese Knot Weed has finally died off and the contaminated stems removed.

Near the 37G outlet the marked off section with treated Japanese Knot weed on the other side of the ditch

End of day - looking in the low mileage direction from culvert 38A inlet.

Wildlife report: As ever at Bishops Cleeve, some of the resident black headed gulls were noted circling over head at lunchtime. A lone red kite swooped low over the embankment, obviously spotting some small mammals we have disturbed. In the ditch we noted several large dragonflies – but less welcome were some angry wasps who are nesting on the embankment. Our helpful resident informed us that there is a family of foxes living under an empty home of the site; and he often spots a lone badger in the same spot.

When the Cat is Away

Over the past few weeks the Drainage team leader and blog writer has been away undertaking a practical study of applied fluid dynamics, mainly from a narrowboat on the canals of the East Midlands but also in one or two waterside refreshment establishments. Hence the pause in weekly blog updates. Thanks to other team members for these notes and photos.

Thursday 19^th June

The weather certainly curtailed our activities today. Flaming June had arrived at long last! Attending were Nigel, Peter, Polly, Roger and Dave. We inspected both sides at syphon culvert 7A. Polly and Nigel then proceeded to carry out minor repairs to the upside outlet.

Polly and Nigel working on 7A outlet. [Photo by Dave]

 

Result - much tidier. [Photo by Dave]

The down side structure is much more problematic. The bank behind the structure is gradually moving and has caused the top 7 or so courses of the brickwork of the high mileage side wall to shift inwards. This will require a rebuild in the not too distant future.

We also investigated along the roadside fence line on the low mileage down side at Stanton bridge 10, with access for a mini-digger in mind. We established that currently this section of fence has no removable section, and discussed where and how to install such a section.

At this point, the heat became overwhelming and we returned to Winchcombe for a rail based tour of culverts going south behind 2807.

Wildlife report: demonstrating that it's summer time and the living is easy were several red kites and buzzards effortlessly idling away their time on the thermals. Also a partridge and her (unlikely to be his?) many tiny offspring running along the empty side of the trackbed and slowing our reversing from Stanton Yard to culvert 7A.

Field of flax adjacent to the upside by Stanton Road Bridge (10). [Photo by Dave]

Thursday 26^th June

Attending were Ian, Jonathan, Peter, Polly and Dave. The main focus was the roadside fence on the low-mileage down side of bridge 10 (Stanton Road bridge). We cleared a good length of the fence line of vegetation before removing the fence rails at this cleared section. This left two exposed fence posts, one of which (the one further from the track) is easily removable, while the other will require a little more encouragement. We lightly nailed a couple of rails back across the exposed posts to form a temporary barrier, easily removable when access for the digger is required. The rest of the removed rails were placed to the side of the exposed area, invisible from the road, for reattachment after the ditch work is completed.

Working roadside rather than trackside on bridge 8 at Stanton. Jonathan, Ian, Roger and Polly in action. [Photo by Dave]

Peter and Jonathan get to grips with a fence post. [Photo by Dave]

Jonathan and Polly check the temporary access fence. [Photo by Dave]

The vegetation and overhanging branches were cut back for some distance northward along the crest, in preparation for the digger to excavate the crest ditch.

Looking along the crest of the downside cutting to Stanton Road. [Photo by Dave]

We found one field drain along the cutting between bridge 10 and the aqueduct, clearly marked by a post and blue-marked sleeper at rail length 8. There was no clear sign of a French drain taking the outflow down to the cess and, as the drain emerges high up on the cutting, the digging of a ditch along the crest might well cut into this field drain anyway.

Blue dots on the sleeper mark where land drains enter the cutting. [Photo by Dave]

We returned to syphon culvert 7A with the intention of adding dye to the inlet chamber and investigating where the flow reappears as this does not seem to be the outlet chamber. The consensus was, however, that the volume of water passing through the inlet chamber was so small as to make the exercise impractical. We will have to wait until rain re-establishes a better flow into the culvert.

Finally, we cut back some of the vegetation around the entrance to Stanton Yard.

Thursday 3^rd July

A day spent clearing access to and the inlets and outlets of the larger culverts that are on the programme for external detailed examination later in the year.

First was culvert 3B near Peasbrook Farm. A surprising amount of water flowing here. Note whole Himalayan balsam plant pulled out on down side and left to dry on top of head wall.

3B downside entry - an easy one to deal with. [Photo by Dave]

 

 

Polly is almost lost in the vegetation alongside the 3b upside exit. [Photo by Dave]

The low water level allowed access to the bottom of the exit stream. [Photo by Dave]

Next was culvert 4A.

4A downside inlet from above. [Photo by Dave]

Not a drop of water entering 4A. [Photo by Dave]

Looking through the bore of 4A. [Photo by Dave]

Finally culvert 5C.

Just a slight flow into 5C. [Photo by Dave]

Thursday 10^th July

With most of the team away on holiday or out for other reasons, there was no normal Drainage work today. However, Jonathan met with Adrian Clements from Tewkesbury Borough Council and Sarah Clayton our Infrastructure Manger to discuss the problems with debris and other rubbish entering culvert 39A at Pecked Lane, Bishops Cleeve. This carries the stream that runs through Honeybourne Meadow. Discarded rubbish can block the mesh on the entry; whilst larger items can get stuck in the exit where it splits into two pipes which emerge alongside Pecked Lane.

Still Not Flaming June!

Thursday 12^th June

The second working day in a row where rain has affected our plans! With some of the odd jobs we planned to attend to between Gotherington and Bishops Cleeve postponed for a second week.

Until we install proper permanent location marker posts, we use blue marker paint to denote the position of the cross drains and culverts. But after a few months the rain washes it away! [Photo by Jonathan]

Before the heavy rains (it was more than a shower) set in at lunchtime, the team attended to several odd jobs south of Two Hedges Road. This included measuring at cross drains 40B and 41A for safety rails; repointing on the up side exit chamber of cross drain 41B and the down side inlet chamber of cross drain 41A. Also at 40B we added a barrow load of stone as scour prevention to the outlet chamber.

Polly with a bucket of mortar for repointing down side of 41A. [Photo by Jonathan]

Another small repointing job attended to was a crack in the down side wall of the footpath approach at Pecked Lane crossing.

Polly made quick work of repointing the crack in the footpath retaining wall at Pecked Lane crossing.

The Bishops Cleeve area received some heavy thunderstorms over the previous weekend, several roads, including Church Street, we flooded. So we checked all the water courses between cross drains 37F and 41B – nothing untoward noted. However, it is very apparent that the recent rain has cause the vegetation to rapidly grow; we are going to have a lot of clearance work in the autumn to restore access.

Even after the heavy showers in the past few days, some watercourses are still bone dry. This is cross drain 41B.

Before declaring the rain to heavy to continue with repointing and concrete repairs, we placed another barrow load of stone as scour prevention into the outlet stream of cross drain 37F.

The seven members of the team who got rather wet were John, Peter, Andrew, Nigel, Dave, Jonathan and Polly.

Wildlife report: Before the rain stated, we watched an impressive ariel ballet from gulls, red kites, buzzards and crows. North of Station Road Bridge we has a quick glimpse of a deer – probably a muntjac. On the floral side, we noted quite lot of wild roses in bloom.