Bainton green lane repair

From local knowledge as the Green Lane Association Rep for East Yorkshire it became apparent that the lane at Bainton was deteriorating quite badly from use during wet weather. This might be due to the Seasonal TROs on other local lanes putting more pressure on the rest. During the summer the lane was passable with only a small section that was rutted. By the New Year this small section had extended significantly and a large hole had been created that had filled with water. Further damage was being caused by vehicles that were recovering those that had become stuck in the hole.

From conversations with the previous Highways Officer, it was apparent that the local Parish Council were unhappy about this damage and were seeking solutions. Along with East Riding 4x4 Club it was decided that some repairs should be undertaken as far as possible given the time of year. After a few onsite planning meetings and gaining permission from East Riding Council, a group of around 10 volunteers from the club met with the Green Lane Association Rep one frosty Sunday morning to do what we could.

That morning we met several local residents out waking their dogs including some Parish Council members. All were pleased to see that some action was being taken and ensured us that they wanted the lane to stay open for all users. By repairing the damage to the lane it might just stop the motor cycles from riding down the footpath, thereby making it a nice experience for all. In these discussions we learned of the original cause to the damage on the lane. Apparently a group of military trucks from DST (Defence School of Transport) Leconfield had gone down the lane and one became badly stuck, requiring the large recovery vehicle to be sent to winch it out. This left significant damage that was not repaired and has deteriorated since.

Due to the softness of the ground and not wanting to cause further damage it was decided on the day that all we could do was to fill in the large hole and cut back some blackthorn that was encroaching in one section. Filling in the hole took most of the day, firstly a grip was dug to relieve the water and then bricks that had been brought by the volunteers were placed into the ruts to bring the height back up. Thanks go to Rob for letting us use his Defender as a wheelbarrow! Finally we were able to tip a load of hard core, kindly provided by a local land owner and delivered by one of the volunteers into the hole to build on the base that had been created and make a suitable surface. Some of the fly-tipping was removed and taken to the local tip.

All the moving of bricks / stone by hand and by machine was rewarded with sausage and bacon butties provided by the club and cooked onsite. Yet again Andy didn’t poison anyone! After lunch and a quick rest some of the smaller ruts were filled in by hand using many wheelbarrows and lots of shovelling.
This lane will need more works in the summer months once it has dried out. Another local land owner has offered help in the way of more bricks and rubble so hopefully the damage this next winter season will not be as bad and will see the lane kept open for all users.

Thanks go out to all the volunteers from East Riding 4x4 Club who attended on the day and supported before the event, this could not have happened without you.

Sam Jones, East Yorkshire Rep