Why do walkers always insist that a bell is the magic answer to everything? I have a bell on my bike but it's rarely heard by walkers, most seem to be in a world of their own while their dogs run free. I end up calling out a polite "ting ting" only to see the walker leap into the air as though someone has just fired a starting pistol next to them. Is it too much to ask that people should maintain a little awareness of the world outside their own little bubble?
It's a shared use path, and respect goes both ways. You should be aware that people on bikes - and people on foot perhaps - will be on the trail and not necessarily be visible in front of you, they may be behind you and moving faster than you are. I'm sorry to hear though that some cyclists have been rude and hit you, that's inexcusable. It's sadly inevitable that given the amount of idiots in this world, some of them will be riding bikes
I couldn't have put it better!
Middlewood does actually seem to be one of the best routes for interaction between users though, I suppose many use it every day and so know to keep an ear open for cyclists' bells. But it is still frustrating to often encounter people walking right in the middle of the path, with headphones in, or with their dogs cross-crossing all over the place out of control off-lead... And then be surprised that a cyclist is coming up behind, using a cycle route!
Anyway, I thoroughly applaud any campaign to bring the standard of the Stockport section up. Cheshire East make it look easy with seemingly a rolling annual programme of resurfacing (although they're still not perfect either).
Kenny, it seems like a lot of the responses thus far have been people saying they don't want a Tarmac surface for their horses. I very much doubt you are even suggesting this, so maybe clarify what surfacing you're actually aiming for to cut out that noise and get everyone on side to just focus on doing the job.
At the same time, as much as the section between Torkington and the A6 (or the next bridge beyond it) could do with a full-scale rebuild like the section near Middlewood station, I would also like to see some focus on a few initial "easy wins" such as filling in the big grooves which form in between the farm crossing gate posts, forcing people to walk or cycle through a deep puddle. These are so minor they could be done by a volunteer group (I'd volunteer!) with a few bags of ballast, but would make a big impact. They're the only puddles you absolutely can't avoid, almost year-round.
I have to also add, I'm astonished that the SEMMMS mitigation money only went so far to cover that tiny stretch between Middlewood station and the first bridge - what use is that if it doesn't even reach the A6! And don't get me started on why no-one, not the road planners nor local councillors, has seen sense to push for Middlewood to be directly connected to the new cycle lane which will run the full length of the A6MARR. All it would take is a short stretch of cycle lanes either side of the A6 down to the new bus bridge connection, and suddenly you connect Marple to a vaste swathe of south Manchester by easy cycling...