middlewood way

[Victor M]

I've just picked up a copy of the Greater Manchester Cycle Network map for Stockport.  The Middlewood Way is colour coded green, and a green route is described as

Quote

Traffic-free routes with a good surface that can be used in all weathers. Suitable for utility cycling and commuting.

 Must be a different Middlewood Way.

[Victor M]

No I don't think you're flogging a dead horse, unfortunate thing is that the Middlewood Way happens to be in Marple and the amount of money that leisure services give out seems to be targeted at other parts of the borough.  Hazel Groves baths has just had £1M spent on it, while Marple just got a new front door!

[Jay]

Quote

Until February, conditions underfoot will appear to get worse before they get better as a result of vehicles, involved in cutting back trees and other undergrowth, needing access to the trail. However, this section will soon be improved through upgraded drainage and surfacing, with completion of the initial tree work expected by Tuesday January 10th.

I've had a really good search of the net about the Middlewood Way and I've found nothing to back up the quote above about surfacing. I've even managed to find a nice picture of the Middlewood Way on wikipedia and also this quote

Quote

Cyclists should note that the trail is rough and badly maintained in places and is probably best suited to mountain bikes and hybrids. The exception to this is the tarmac section between Bollington and Macclesfield, which is suitable for all cycles.

I've enjoyed quite a few rides this year with the good weather along the track but it looks like we're in for another bad autumn and winter down at the Marple end. '>
Does anyone know if anything is going to be done or am I just flogging a dead horse?

[Jay]

Well, I went for a 'wade' down there the a few days ago and I'm pleased to say, although it's now totally inpassable without waders/wellies things are looking good. '> All the trenches that allow the water to drain away have been dug out again, the trees have been cut back and the fencing is beign replaced in parts. There are even diggers making new the drains that run underneath the 'middlemud way' transforming it into something that looks promising for the summer. We managed to get as far as Oakfield Farm before aquiring a puncture in the buggy and having to limp back through the swamp. '> Thumbs up to all the guys who are bringing this place back to the public.

Improvements to the Middlewood Way

If you're intending to visit the Middlewood Way, please note that improvements are currently being undertaken on the section between the A6 and Middlewood station.

Until February, conditions underfoot will appear to get worse before they get better as a result of vehicles, involved in cutting back trees and other undergrowth, needing access to the trail. However, this section will soon be improved through upgraded drainage and surfacing, with completion of the initial tree work expected by Tuesday January 10th.

Because of the rural nature of this section of the Middlewood Way, neither tarmac nor lighting (other than that already in existence at Middlewood station) will be provided. This is in contrast to the recently upgraded section in the vicinity of Rose Hill. Additionally, on the length of the Middlewood Way between Torkington Lane and the A6, further cutting back of vegetation will be undertaken commencing January 9th. This is in conjunction with culvert maintenance work to be carried out along this section.

from: http://www.cyclegm.org.uk/news/index.asp

[Jay]

Any news on what's happening yet with the Middlemud way? I took my daughter up there on Friday and the path is so appalling that I only passed one person while walking to the A6, you'd think it's been disowned. '>  I thought that when CTCREP said Macclesfield council were going to be re-surfacing it (why Stockport council aren't is a mystery) things were looking up but nothing seems to be progressing. Can anyone shed any light on what's going on? Summers on it's way (look on the bright side! ) '>  and we'll still be avoiding this scenic route like the plague unless you've got a set of waders and a jet wash handy

[CTCREP]

I believe Macclesfield Council are considering the surfacing of the Middlewood Way. It is time that this route were recognised as a major leisure and commuting route and the surface needs to be upgraded considerably for that purpose. It should be unnecessary for people who wish to use it to have to wear walking boots etc. and to have to wash down their pushchairs and bikes etc. after every trip.  This is somewhere where you should be able to take visitors who have come in their Sunday Best and for disabled people with motorised tricycles to be able to access the countryside.

The big problem of course is horses, and before some people get irate let’s just consider.  If you have a horse surely you would like to ride it at something more than a walk – you can’t do that on the Middlewood Way. You don’t really want to run the risk of your horse bolting on the sound of a bicycle bell – and I have been asked not to ring mine as it frightens the horse. Surrounding the Middlewood Way are a number of fields where horses stand; with just a little cooperation and ingenuity it must be possible to link these fields with new Horse Only Bridleways. Horses could then be ridden at more than a walk and with the knowledge that it is extremely unlikely that you would meet anyone other than other horse riders.  If these routes could be extended across the countryside then a whole new industry would be created providing Horse Riding Holidays, B&B, Refreshments, Stabling or whatever.

You may think this is Pie in the Sky, but it is not, it is called Farming Diversification.  Look at http://countrywalks.defra.gov.uk/Default....te=3482

This is a footpath around a field created through Public Money. There are plenty of footpaths in Cheshire, many more interesting than this one. Why wasn’t it a Horse Only Bridleway?  With more of these the Middlewood Way could be left in a clean condition for the pleasure of many more people than who use it at present.

[Adrian Taylor]

SMBC has received "considerable pressure" in the last twelve months and has responded and will continue to do so.
Please note that Middlewood Way is not a Public Right of Way and should be made one.
I do hope that when there are attempts to make Middlewood Way a public right of way readers will assist.

Just a little comment about some cyclists, who generally all have my total support as users of Middlewood Way, please use some kind of "audible" device (used to be a bell etc.) when cycling up behind walkers, don't just sweep by in the hope the pedestrian gets out of the way in the event the pedestrian didn't see you coming !!!
 Â 

[CTCREP]

For info.  The improvements to the start of the Middlewood Way at Rosehill have come about because of discussions local cyclists have had with Stockport MBC at their Cycle User Group, and is in conjunction with the proposed Marple Multi User Trail - for which they may find a better name.  (see the Marple Multi User Trail strand on this site)

Fortunately the Middlewood Way is not a Bridleway, so can cater for others besides horses.  Hopefully we will eventually persuade Stockport to at least bring it up to the Macclesfield standard, but it does need more people to put pressure onto Stockport showing that they need to cater for people other than those who enjoy returning home covered in mud and worse.

[Jay]

Well, I'm quite pleased that the application got refusal... for now at least! As for SEMMMS, why just tart up a tiny bit of the Middlewood Way to lead to on to Middlemud Way, Macclesfield have their end sorted, isn't it time to get SMBC to sort out our end? '>

You would be amazed.

Just look at how many they squeezed onto the Bowling Green site.

[tina]

86?  Is that site big enough for 86?

[Tricky]

Application No: DC017325 Appeal Date: 17 Feb 2005 Area: DC Marple
DoE Reference: APP/C4235/A/05/1175108 Appeal Status Code: REG Ward:
Authority Reference: DC017325 Parish: Marple Library,
Memorial Park, Marple
Application Decision: Refusal
Location: Park & Paterson (Manchester) Ltd, Cross Lane, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire, SK6 7QA
Proposal: Demolition of foundry buildings construction of eighty six, two/three storey mews houses and apartments and associated site works

your too quick for me Admin....  while I was writing you slipped that info in!   (Barking up the wrong tree with the metro link idea!!'>  Thanks for your quickness!

yes I was wondering myself Rachael & Peter about what SEMMMS stands for, i'm glad to know it's not just me.
Admin could you please let us know?
 I was wondering whether it has anything to do with the metro link?