Potting Shed and New Access Gate

https://planning-applications.midlothian.gov.uk/OnlinePlanning/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=OBKZR3KV08B00

16/00540/DPP on the councils' planning site.

On the planning system today, an application for a potting shed for me :-) and a new access gate into our garden because the sycamore tree that died (was poisoned) is no longer an issue.

Exciting.

Ironmills, New Path

Sadly I missed the recent "paths day" with Midlothian Council Ranger Service targeting ironmills Park last week. Today though, I took the opportunity to survey the work that has been put into making good a circular path in the High Woods at Ironmills. 

Perhaps this path has always been there and it fell into disuse. It certainly had signs of being a path before. But now it has been way-marked and cleared for more able passage.

Here it is in photos.

I started here by climbing up a fairly steep section from the park into the high woods, you could start at the entrance off the more formal path in the park.

The new way marker posts

The path meanders through the woods.

You can smell the garlic

A wee narrow path through the wild garlic

Arrive at the rope-and-swing.

Light at the end.....you arrive at Lugton

Nicely marked with wooden poles

Follow the right of way heading up to the top path in the High Woods

It doesn't look too steep.

Head downhill into Ironmills Park

The junction where the top path at one time took you over the Viaduct. Now lost to the Borders Rail Line.

There's a couple of sections on the path where it is boggy due to water running off from the land above ironmills. There's even been some of the dreaded landslip but it doesn't look threatening. It's just nature re-shaping the land. 

A short route then that will raise the heart rate but won't tire you out. Any suggestions for improvements to this path gratefully received. 

Enjoy x

Second Ironmills Landslip

A second landslip has taken place at Ironmills Steps. This time the landslip has tracked further East, heading in the direction of the Dalkeith Bowling Club. The original landslip started on the corner of Ironmills Steps and after a period of time this looked to have stabilised and the council carried out repairs and re-opened the steps to the public. 

Unfortunately though, after a spend within a budget of 58K, all the good works to the steps has been thwarted by this second slip. 

Its sad to see this after all the efforts. The ground was clearly damaged after the first slip and the rain in December and January was depressing, it seemed to rain every day. This rainfall probably caused this second slip (although the ground was clearly damaged after the first slip therefore its not so surprising that a second slip would happen).

The landslip that started in January 2016

Movement recorded by March 2016

The steps have been closed again to public access whilst the council seek expert opinion on what to do now. Our house is not affected by the landslip but the woodland ground that we purchased from the council is very close to part of the slip at the edge of the access route. 

Measures to ensure the public stay away from the bridge and the steps are as shown in the photo below. Quite an attractive fence I think. Looks like its going to be fenced off for a while.