Where's the River Isbourne

Thursday 26 September 

Our Lineside Clearance team spent most of April and May this year clearing the area along past Culvert 21A, the River Isbourne. When we arrived this morning we couldn't see the river on the up side, the weeds had taken back control. Contractors will be arriving sometime in the next month or so to install erosion control to prevent the river washing out behind the wing walls on the culvert. They will need to be able to see where they are going, that's why we are starting to clear paths down to the culvert ends. 

It was a 3 pronged attack in the morning, with Nigel and Michael making 2 paths on the down side, and Stuart cutting down tot he up side. 

River Isbourne, Culvert 21A down side

River Isbourne, Culvert 21A up side 

Winchcombe Yard up side, path to the culvert 

Culvert 21A up side, Stuart making a path
(Photo: Alastair) 

Culvert 21A up side, the path has closed in 

Culvert 21A down side, Michael reaches the bottom 

Culvert 21A down side, Nigel in the trees
(Photo: Alastair) 

Culvert 21A down side headwall 

We had a break mid morning to explore the drain in Churchward House yard, this is the building at Winchcombe Station which the Railway has bought as the new headquarters. We were looking to see where the surface water drains away to. It seems to run out under the fence and along under the yard towards the S&T carriage. 

Michael and Nigel uncovering the pipes
(Photo: Alastair) 

After lunch, it was all hands over to the up side to get a track cleared for the contractor to get machinery down to the culvert. 

Fitting the shredder blade kit to the new Stihl FS490C
(Photo: Alastair)

Making progress, with Nigel, Michael and Stuart in the distance
(Photo: Alastair) 

Looking back, Alastair in the distance  

Michael takes out the brambles 

Access route cleared along the top level, it's down the slope next time 

There's a length of old rail laid across the route, that may become a speed bump 😊