Just southeast of Eaton, the Dane Valley Way follows a path, ‘North Rode 2’ as the way passes near to the River Dane east of Eaton. There is a particularly muddy section which suffers from severe flooding, frequently making it near impassable, centred on OS SJ 8800 6574, south of Bank Farm. There has been a diversionary path acting as a ‘work around’ for this troublesome section, but the route was not obvious, and needed signage improvements. (Shown in red above). In addition, the river bank supported a ‘conservation’ track along the river linking with the Dane Valley Way and its diversion (Shown in green).
In the winter of ‘22/’23 ECR’s Footpath Committee members Gillian Kay, who inspects this North Rodes footpath for ECR, and Louise Whittaker had discussed the problem with the landowners who very kindly agreed improved signage could be installed to clarify the alternatives. Gillian, Louise and Neil Collie configured signage plaques at critical locations, and had them manufactured.
ECR Footpath Projects Team began fieldwork in April ’23 by cutting back tree branches, and repairing step and stile meshes. Post positions and plaque orientations were agreed and the plans finalised. The marker posts of the important flood ‘work around’ section were marked with yellow paint for clarity. The ‘conservation’ track following a riverside path was not intended to draw ‘Dane Valley Way’ walkers from the PROW FP 2 path and its end intersections with the main paths were marked by posts more remotely placed.
In August ‘23, two finger posts, six waymarker posts, two handrail posts and a handrail were placed. The latter were required for a plank bridge across a feeder stream on the diversionary path. The bridge plank was anchored firmly against excessive water flows. Besides the timber supplier’s preservative treatment, all the posts were protected from rot by a polythene-wrapped bitumen sleeve heat-welded to the post wood near and below the vulnerable zone for rot at and below ground surface before their placement. Thanks go to the Projects Team members Roger Fielding, Roger Jubb, Chris Munslow, Nick Wild and myself.
