Tyldesley Loopline 1 - Monton to Roe Green

This route is entirely traffic free and runs for just over one and a half miles along the disused trackbed of the Tyldesley Loopline in Salford. The Tyldesley Loopline was part of the London and North Western Railway's line from Eccles to Kenyon Junction on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. The line opened in 1864 and closed in 1969.

This post covers the section from the site of Monton Green Station through Worsley Station to the junction with Roe Green Loop Line at Roe Green. Part of this route is covered by a Herritage Trail leaflet.

The site of Monton Green Station was several feet above this small roundabout on the B5229. The  station has been completely demolished, as has all sign of the line to the south. There is no signage at all on this road pointing out the start of the railpath, which is on the right just after the roundabout despite it being part of NCN Route 55.



This is the entrance, the winding path that begins behind the red barrier. There is no drop kerb or any other concession to pedal cycles. The entrance to the left of the picture leads to a brand new car park, so drivers have been well looked after...



The path leads up a short slope into the trees and straight into the one and only barrier on this section of path.



It is a horrible U-bend barrier with a bike A-frame bypass. Enough to defeat some pedal cycles, but not as bad as many in Salford.



Once you are through the barrier the path is well surfaces with a reddish tarmac. It runs along a wide embankment with trees on both sides.



Unfortunately there has been little management of the trees and you get just a few glimpses of the open views on both sides.



To the left at this point is Broadoak Park the subject of a battle to prevent it being built on and to the right is Worsley Golf Course.



About 3/4 of a mile up the path it crosses a stream



and brings you to the site of Worsley Station. Unlike most other former stations in the area, this one still has some reminder of it's existence.



Just to the north the path passes under the A572 Worsley Road, through a rebuilt bridge, much smaller than the original.



The bridge is a corrugated iron tube with ivy falling over both entrances.



This is where the surface changes from tarmac to rough stone and gravel. This section is currently the subject of a consultation by Urban Vision on behalf of Salford Council.

According to an email from Urban Vision:

Phase 6 and 7 improvements, of approximately 2.4km, will begin at Worsley Station (the original railway station) in Worsley, passing under the motorway bridge towards Roe Green and under the East Lancashire Road to Mesne Lea Primary School. This 600k project will link the existing improvements from Tynesbank through to Monton Green and will include re-surfacing works, the installation of drainage, the construction of access paths and steps, as well as the installation of benches along the route. Urban Vision has completed design of the scheme, and it is now proposed to go out to tender on 25th July 2014, with a view to the works starting at the end of October for a 14 week period. It is anticipated the works will be completed by early February 2015.

My main concern is that the path is likely to be closed for 3 months and that they do not install any new barriers or other obstructions on the route



The path isn't too bad at this point where the footpaths cross



but it gets pretty muddy soon after



and as you reach the rather daunting bridge under the M60 it degrades further.

These long bridges should have lighting installed.



Just to the north of the motorway is one particularly large area of mud that can only just be avoided.



A short way further on the trees on the left disappear, along with the embankment.



This is the site of a new United Utilities facility built to prevent sewerage getting into Kempnough Brook. It consists of an underground bifurcation chamber fitted with a powered screen, a 1,545m3 detention tank, a weir and a powered screen chamber.

This was the work that closed this route last summer.



From here the surface of the path is rough, but fairly dry all the way to the junction at Roe Green, where the two bridges carry Greenleach Lane over the continuation of the Tyldesley Loopline to the left as it turns west and the newer Roe Green Loop Line to the right which continues north heading for Bolton.



To be continued in separate posts.

Tyldesley Loop Line 2

Roe Green Loopline 1


View Tyldesley Loopline 1 - Monton to Roe Green in a larger map

Bridgewater Way, Mosley Rd to the Ship Canal

This isolated, 2 mile long section of the Bridgewater Way was surfaced earlier this year, and I have been waiting to get back on the bike so I could ride it.



Unfortunately the south eastern end is really not that easy to get to...



After you've carried your bike down the steps from Mosely Road you then have to lift it over this barrier.




The problem is caused by the state of the section of towpath between here and the canal junction at Moss Road. It is not due to be repaired until next year.



The construction traffic can gain access at this point out of the Kellogg's factory, but for the rest of us the nearest access to the new path is the steps.



Between the start of the resurfaced path and Mosely road is an old bridge over a dock entrance. The path is quite steep and stepped.



It made for quite an uncomfortable decent, particularly on the loose stones.



Then under Mosely Road



and heading north west.



There is a mixture of industry on the north east bank and some housing on the south west side nearest the towpath.



With a few boats using this stretch.



After crossing under Park Way these trees on the NE bank reminded me of Kent or northern France.



Some parts of the path look like they still need a bit of work, particularly this access point.



However, by contrast the following access point to the Trafford Centre had clearly been finished to a much higher standard, even if the barriers left a lot to be desired.



The path then goes under Asburton Road West



and then over another lock bridge. At this point it is best to get on the path further from the canal



as the path is better finished, and a bit wider.



The tow path comes to an end in an area of decorated paving with this mini pagoda. It did look rather neglected.



To the left of the pagoda you can get a sight of the Barton Swing Aqueduct, but unfortunately you cannot cycle over it.



Also here there is a rather nice crane.



So, on a bike you have to go to the left of the pagoda, down this path



and out onto the busy B5211 Redcliffe Road where you have to turn right to follow the course of the canal.

Warning there is an almost completely blind exit here onto this road.



You can then cross the Ship Canal on the Barton Road Swing Bridge.



So for the moment this is a rather isolated path only 2 miles long. It will be improved greatly when the path to the south east is finished. However the towpath to the north, in Salford, is unusable for some distance so you have to ride on the road till you can get north of Liverpool Road, or walk on the towpath, and you have to lift your bike over the armco barrier.

Next section of the Bridgewater Way continues from Manchester Ship Canal to Monton Green.


View BridgewaterWay in a larger map

Salford Anti-Cycling Barriers - Trinity Way

Here was today's WTF moment....

Looking across from Hampson Street towards Princes bridge these dirty great big barriers are cutting right across the cycle route.



The view from the other side.



It seems the anti-cycling brigade have been at it again.

The cycle lane southbound on Trinity Way has been completely blocked to the north.



At this point there is a gap in the barriers for the pedestrian crossing, but no concession for those cycling.



To the south the jug-handle crossing has also been blocked.




You can still stop the traffic by pressing the button, but it is completely blocked.



Some idiot clearly couldn't give a shit about this busy cycle route and Salford Council don't seem to care either. This is National Cycle Network Route 6.



What with the blockage of the Irwell Towpath here as well it is now pretty difficult to get through this area.

Joyous July Critical Mass

For a change I turned up late to Critical Mass and arrived with only two wheels (and no sound system) to celebrate my return to bicycling. As I turned up the riders were just extricating themselves from outside the library.



It was a beautiful evening for a cycle ride



with around 150 fellow riders.




We met many others on bikes...



and created a real party atmosphere on Deansgate.



Thankfully, there was one sound system to provide music. The red cycle trailer that was silent on June's ride had been repaired with a new pair of off-the-shelf loudspeakers.



After a short excursion into Salford we returned to Manchester



and then towards the Northern Quarter.



The ride was really friendly



and featured lots of colour



though some sartorial combinations were questionable ;-)



This contraption was supposed to be a bubble machine, but failed on the ride.

We were also joined by an inline skater,



skateboards and three new scooters.



After a wonderful decent of London Road



we went south down Oxford Road



and out to Platt Fields Park



to visit the new Bike Hub project.



And finally a demonstration of what the bubble machine was supposed to do :)



Gives me ideas for next month...

To keep up with Manchester Critical Mass follow the Facebook page.