Bridging a treacherous stream near Scaynes Hill Garden Centre

While we were planning the New Squeeze Stile on Bridge in Chailey – see previous report of Recent Work – we came across an interesting problem. One of the access paths had a very slippery jump required between two sloping banks – see before picture.
As the enlarged bit of map shows the WSCC Rights of way implies that a stream starts here, and perhaps at one point the path crossed above the spring. But, over time, the stream has retreated and carved out a 15 cm trough across the path which would be hazardous to the less agile.
We considered a long walkway across the stream but a tumble would have given a fall of more than 1m. So a shorter, wider bridge was called for but, time being short before our Christmas break, we decided to fix a conveniently available Pallet across the stream, resting on lintels and held down with our usual angle irons. So that is what you can see in the after pictures. As and when the wood decays significantly it can be replaced relatively easily with one made in our sturdier Oak.
AND not having to make a bridge allowed time to visit the Up Country Garden Centre for a coffee or tea;

Happy Christmas 2025!