Marple Multi User Trail

[CTCREP]

At last the access point from the new path onto the canalside has been re-opened. However, after continual requests that the road humps in the park should have a section removed to allow the easy passage of cyclists and those with wheelchairs, the Council have decided to spend considerably more of our money covering the old humps with road pads which benefit nobody and are just as inconvenient to cyclists etc. as before.

[CTCREP]

The Compstall branch of the Marple Multi User Trail is moving on, although there has been a bit of a hiccup; apparently there is a problem with access to the Canal Bank; presumably because of British Waterways’ policy of not acknowledging that the canal towpath is suitable for cycling on in case they get sued should someone fall in the water!  No doubt their conscience will be clear when someone gets killed on Brabyns Brow. Meanwhile if you would like to see how things happen on the Continent may I suggest you view www.cyclingmatters.co.uk .

[CTCREP]

Further update on the extension of the Middlewood Way down to Compstall. A new path has been created through Brabyns Park between the Canal and the Sports Hut. At present it is quite a good surface, let's hope it wears well. A new entry has been made onto the canalside which will allow access not far from the bridge opposite Grosvenor Road.

The Middlewood Way itself has been given a short length of Tarmac close to Rosehill then a section of reasonable surface followed by a stretch of appalling surface, hopefully this will be dealt with on the not too distant future.

[CTCREP]

Just an update on present progress.  Some resurfacing has been done through the Lea Hey Estate, and also to Rollins Lane at the Compstall end, although this is already deteriorating. We are also promised a slope down from the Canal into Brabyns Park roughly opposite Grosvenor Rd. This should make it easier for those with push chairs etc. to access the park without having to suffer the unpleasantness of Brabyns Brow.

Further resurfacing has been done at the back of Marple Hall School giving better walking access to Offerton.  A more attractive route would be down Dale Road and alongside the river but this needs even more work. If you like to dream, then a bridge over the river at Chadkirk would give a really pleasant route. Cross here and then down to Otterspool Rd. and onward into Stockport could become an attractive traffic free route for cyclists. Although it has been resurfaced at Pear Mill, it is still not suitable for commuting.

Following a request for new notices, some have appeared, one in the Memorial Park and another at Chadkirk Car Park.
Unfortunately they are of little benefit to visitors. Hopefully any future notices will be designed to help visitors enjoy the many attractions of Marple.

CTC Rep

[Adrian Taylor]

No problem at all with tarmacing the Middlewood Way from Wood Lane Car Park to Rose Hill Station, I'm sure this will be welcomed (hopefully !'> by all users.

Hopefully the car park near Rose hill Depot will also be brought up to standard.

Could CTC rep send me an email if he is also interested in joining the Friends of Middlewood Way ?

Any other takers by the the way ?

I do note that if you ask for volunteers it's a good way of stopping a "thread" stone dead !  '>  '>

Adrian Taylor
 '>

Some good news. The Council is intending to tarmac the section from Rosehill to Wood Lane Car Park, this will give some commuters a cleaner route into and out of Marple. For a short distance beyond Wood Lane we hope they will bring the surface up to a rideable standard; if continued this would give those with motorised wheel chairs the opportuntity to visit the countryside.
CTC Rep.

What a wonderful idea! Anything which increases access for wheelchair-users and families with pushchairs would be a good thing.

[Water Rat]

An excellent idea CTC.  

You are perfectly correct in saying that the waste tip is not the most welcoming feature of Marple - although a necessary one.  An extension to Compstall would be most welcome and introduce tourers from outside of the area to another jewel.  

Depending on the weather. lighting up times etc it will provide a real alternative to Brabyns Brow and the traffic past the Spring Gardens.

You have my vote for it!

The Marple Multi User Trail is the Council’s name for extensions to the Middlewood Way, and is a combination of a Route from Rosehill to Compstall, and from Rosehill to Stockport.

For several years cyclists have been trying to persuade the Council to extend the Middlewood Way through to Compstall. The route is virtually already there; it can easily be followed on an A to Z. From Rosehill cross over into Dale Rd. turn right into Norbury Drive, Oakdene Rd. and Grosvenor Rd. then cross the Canal into Brabyns Park. The only real obstacle to its immediate use is a set of  steep steps down from the Canal into Brabyns Park. A slope is required that would allow cyclists, those with pushchairs and people in wheelchairs to access Brabyns Park without having to cope with the busy Brabyns Brow. Ideally a rear entrance to the Station could be created thus providing easy access for residents of Compstall and the Ley Hey area of Marple, but that is for the future.

About 2 Years ago the Environment Agency offered £10,000 towards creating this slope, however the Council decided to use the money to call in Consultants to survey a route from Rosehill to Stockport.  Â£150,000 was then found towards what they now call the Marple Multi User Trail.

Whilst the Marple to Stockport route would be very useful it is a much greater project. The most immediate benefit would be from creating the Rosehill to Compstall route.  This would provide a Safe Route to School for pupils at Marple Hall School and Ridge Danyers College, and provide easy access into Brabyns Park for those with push chairs etc.

At present the Middlewood Way ceases at the Council’s Waste Disposal Site,  A more attractive terminus for the route  would be Brabyns Park, Marple Bridge and Etherow Country Park Compstall. A short survey of those using the Middlewood Way showed that people came from, Barnsley, Northwich, Sandbach and Nantwich; there was even a couple from Essex who were riding all the trails in the vicinity of the Peak District. All stated that once they reached the Refuse Tip they returned towards Macclesfield. What a loss of revenue to the traders of Marple that these visitors are turned away.  Perhaps once the Council get round to completing this route the Cycle Shop will reopen and the Cafes etc. do more trade, children will be able to cycle to school thus reducing the School Run Chaos, and those willing to leave their cars at home will have an attractive route between Compstall, Marple and beyond.

Cyclists’ Touring Club,  Right to Ride Representative.