Station Cycle Parking - Crewe

On my way home from Chester recently I changed trains at Crewe.



Whilst waiting for my connection I discovered that this station has plenty of cycle parking - on the platforms.

There is the usual disclaimer notice,



but the facilities provided look pretty good.



This cycle parking is provided on a number of platforms.



It is secure and under cover,



and for bonus points...



there is a pump



and a maintenance stand



provided by the local council and Virgin trains.



Sadly, such facilities are not provided at Manchester Piccadilly station. Here the attitude is totally different.



All the cycle parking is outside with no cycle parking at all on the platforms, despite the large area which could be used for cycle parking between platform 10 and 11.

Tyldesley Loopline 1 - Monton to Roe Green - Updated

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. Part of this route is covered by a Herritage Trail leaflet.

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 and has been updated with some new photos now that much of this section has been extensively resurfaced.

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 through the barrier you can get a glimpse of the car park on your left, and wonder how much it must have cost compared to the resurfacing of the path...



This first section of 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 residents' battle to prevent it being built on, now a residents' victory and to the right is Worsley Golf Course.



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




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 with platforms on both sides.






At the end of the old platforms there is access via Hollyhurst, the old station access road up onto the A572 Worsley Road.



Here is where the resurfacing work starts. The new surface is a very smooth black tarmac without the usual grit finish, suitable for all cycles.



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



The bridge is a corrugated iron tube and the old wooden gate that used to sit across the path here has been removed.



Beyond, the extensive drainage works can be seen on the left. Somewhere along here a short branch  line to the Bridgewater Canal joined this line from the left, but I have never noticed the junction amongst the various footpaths.



New access steps have been installed along the route with groves for wheeling a bicycle up and down, but they are useless for anything heavy or with a trailer.



At the bridge under the M60 the trees have been cut back and a new bench has been added.



However, there is still no lighting under the bridge.



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 over the summer of 2013.



From here the trees close in again on the left along with an original wall holding back the cutting.



This section now leads to the junction at Roe Green, where the two bridges carry Greenleach Lane over the junction.



The bridge to the left straddles the continuation of the Tyldesley Loopline as it turns west. Here the tarmac ends.



Under the bridge to the right the resurfacing continues along the newer Roe Green Loopline which heads north for Bolton.



Continued in separate posts.

Tyldesley Loop Line 2

Roe Green Loopline 1


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

The Kirklees Trail - Bury to Greenmount

This is possibly the busiest railway path I've seen so far in Greater Manchester, but first you have to find it. It is the old Bury to Holcombe Brook Line, opened in 1882 it is unusual for it's early electrification.

Starting in Bury, this is yet another case where you should not follow the NCN 6 signs, they send you down a pavement, then dump you onto a road with part time cycle lanes!

From Bolton Street, the trick is to head north along Castlecroft Road, and under the bridge towards the fire station.



You go under the ring road, and then turn left where the large rocks block the road.



The path at this stage runs through a park and swings west to join the old railway line at the viaduct over the River Irwell.



The path then crosses Woodhill Road, and then goes steeply up because the old railway cutting has been filled in.



The path emerges into a new housing estate and crosses Brandlesholme Road, where there are crossing lights you can use.



On the other side the path decends steeply to the level of the old track bed again.



After a short while the view opens out to reveal the new viaduct at Woolford, opened by Sustrans in May 2012 at a cost of £650,000, built slightly lower than the original bridge.



As you approach there are some lovely iron sculptures on your right and a bench seat.



The other side the path rises again,



and for a while enters a cutting,



before the view re-emerges to your left.



Past the site of Tottington Station the path goes under Kirklees Street.



The next bridge is Tottington Viaduct,



which carries the line over a small lake.



The path has a local variation on cycle barriers, with these low step-over gates, presumably designed for the horses which use the path. You do have to watch out for horse shit along the way. This is where Shepherd Street crosses.



The path splits in two at the end, horses left, people to the right.



As you emerge at the site of Greenmount Station this bench marks the end of the path by Brandelsholme Road.



To stay on NCN 6, turn right down the hill, then turn left into Vermon Road.




It's only just over 3 miles in lenght, but it's a busy little path with lots of youngsters out in groups on bikes or walking, so it feels safe.


View The Kirklees Trail in a larger map

Additional info from the Railway Ramblers North West Group newsletter.