[Closed] PSA for Marple / Strines area riders: ANOTHER Trail closure warning

Bah!

Well, I just discovered something I didn't know! From Roman Bridge, I've always followed the bridleway that runs between the two houses when climbing, and mostly when descending. I've [b]occasionally[/b] descended the cheeky footpath (Apple Trees) that zigzags steeply down from a narrow entrance on Strines Road.

Turns out that Apple Trees is actually a bridleway. Well, not sure how much fun it'll be when they rebuild it, but it was always a very tricky descent, can't say I ever cleaned it anyway

https://www.stockport.gov.uk/stockport-public-rights-of-way/prow-map

Thanks for the heads-up, nbt!
Although those orders were issued in July, for a six month period, so the work might now be completed.
So could you just pop out, please, and check if they've been re-opened yet? 😉

[quote=Esme Made up]Thanks for the heads-up, nbt!
Although those orders were issued in July, for a six month period, so the work might now be completed.
So could you just pop out, please, and check if they've been re-opened yet

The notices have only gone up recently in the actual area. We rode there at the weekend and saw nothing, but I got a text from Bunnyhop this morning as she went out for a walk round there. The trails in question have all be really badly damaged by water (and heavily increased numbers of horse riders) over the past few months

Thanks for this information, Bunnyhop!

Esme - you're welcome.

I stopped 1 mtber who had no idea of the closures, thus having to completely change his route.

nbt - well I never (apple tree) being a bridleway. You could never get a horse through that gap.

Esme - the council have completely covered the 'Lily Bank' trail from the golf course to the Sandy track in tarmac. 😯

I rode the path from Roman lakes to strines past both of those farms two weeks ago and saw the signs at the bottom of strawberry hill descent, but ignored it as they’d expired. Was in no worse state than it’s been in the last 7 years I’ve been riding it, and certainly wasn’t closed. Crack on.

Wiganer - it was definitely closed today because the workmen were beavering away with heavy machinery.
Guessing you could sneak by at night. Or when they're on a coffee break.

*gets the cross bike ready for a 40mph strawberry motorway KOM attempt*

Thanks for this. Appreciated!

Could you explain again the lily bank trail - and exactly where they are laying tarmac. Apols if I'm being a tad slow! Is this from the straight trail alongside the golf course, which then crosses the golfers walk through and ends at the T junction (which is either right and north towards farm/under railway/towards Roman Lakes or left and south towards strines?)

I've been onto SMBC about their work in the area before. It's really disappointing.

I believe it is the stretch at the bottom of 'Mellor Berms' where you appear at the cross roads, turn left and climb before getting to Lilly Bank Farm Track. That was a Dolomite sand pit the other week after the heavy machinery had gone. Pretty poor patches of tarmac in places. I think it was complete.

Bugger!! Black lane to Windybottom Farm is a decent descent if you don't hang about or stop.

I'm guessing they've Tarmac'd the bit down past The Banks? I hope it's not the bridleway that divides the Golf Course as that's just getting good again

Guessing you could sneak by at night. Or when they're on a coffee break.

How are we supposed to know when they're on a coffee break? Did you check with them or is it just a question of lurking in the shrubbery till they start brewing up and then just going for it? Are they using fresh beans and some sort of proper espresso brew method or just instant? I'm guessing, this being Stockport Council, it'll be the latter so the window of opportunity may be short and liable to slam shut at any moment.

Worth sharing on keeper of the Peak

Bugger, thanks bunnyhop, that’s one of my favourite local rides done for a while then.

Lol @ BWD. I should have put a wink , meaning that most workmen do tend to have a never ending coffee break 🙂 (joke)

Yes the tarmac has been laid from the top of 'The Banks' descent. This is the descent from Mellor cross ('T'), down the lane. At the golf course it splits,most of us would take the right hand berms, turning right down the steps (The Banks - also know as zig zags).
If you were at the top at the golf course and took the left trail (used to be a white barrier with steepish steps), which then turned left, this is the trail that has the long tarmac surface. I know that there was Japanese knotweed there, so the tarmac covering may have something to do with this.

As soon as poss I will go up and see what they've done to the Strawberry hill (Shielan) descent.

If you were at the top at the golf course and took the left trail (used to be a white barrier with steepish steps), which then turned left, this is the trail that has the long tarmac surface.

So now it's useable as a climb on a cross bike then? Given that I've mostly only ever used it as an ascent and it was starting to fall to bits, I'm not utterly dismayed. The 'repairs' to the stuff lower down never last anyway ime. It's a bit like the Hayfield campsite descent, which has become increasingly interesting since the initial Pennine Bridleway sanitisation horror.

[quote=beagle Made up]
Could you explain again the lily bank trail - and exactly where they are laying tarmac.

As Bunnyhop says, Lily Bank is the "alternate" banks / berms descent
The Banks - http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398038&Y=387405&A=Y&Z=115
Lily Bank - http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=398066&Y=387330&A=Y&Z=115

it's now smooth so ideal for a climb if you want to lap The Banks

Cheers nbt.

Grew up in Marple area and ridden round there for years and never used Lily Bank. Always used the track next to New Mills Golf Club, out of Brookbottom to gain elevation.

As an aside, do we know if anyone is organized with ensuring work is sensible round this area/wider area from the mtb community? I've spoken to SMBC a couple of times with varying results. I think it would be prudent to be on the front foot. Whether PDMTB would ever get involved is another question too as it's probably out of their area to a degree, though we know they have been speaking to NT re Lyme.

Appreciate it's not at Rushup level, but it is important for local riders.

it's now smooth so ideal for a climb if you want to lap The Banks

Dunno about that, but it'll be a lot more pleasant than the godawful back road climb that comes off Gibb Lane... I know I'm not really meant to approve, but given that I rarely ever ride that track these days - it used to be a reasonable mtb climb, but had got steadily looser and stepped in the wrong places.

It would be lovely if these trails were identified on [url= https://www.trailforks.com/region/roman-lakes/ ]Trailforks[/url], as I'm not familiar with the names currently used on there (eg Cable Car? River Run?).

In contast, the [url= https://www.trailforks.com/region/the-quantock-hills/ ]The Quantocks[/url] section is excellent (maintained by Canopy of this parish, I believe).

would this effect the rides in the dark peak guide?

[quote=Esme]It would be lovely if these trails were identified on Trailforks, as I'm not familiar with the names currently used on there (eg Cable Car? River Run?).
In contast, the The Quantocks section is excellent (maintained by Canopy of this parish, I believe).

Never heard of that site before. River Run is known to us as Linnets Clough., and Cable Car is known as Surprise Hill.

On the [url= https://www.trailforks.com/region/roman-lakes/map/ ]map on trailforks[/url], the trails closed for work are "Roman Lakes Link" (to the junction with "Road Climb") and "Strawberry Golf Course".

"Strawberry Golf Course" wasn't closed last night 😀

There's only a little bit of work right at the very bottom, where it joins "Roman Lakes Link".

Let's hope that they don't carry on up the "Strawberry Golf Course" descent...

The trouble with the Trailforks thing is that even locally there's not necessarily any universally agreed set of names. Different riding groups tend to develop different labels for the same sections, so something like the track over Middle Moor gets referred to a Middle Moor, Shooting Cabins, 20 Trees (or rather an extension of it) the Snake Path and probably stuff I've never heard of too.

Strava has changed that a little with segment names sometimes creeping into more common use - or vice versa I guess - but it's kind of the nature or the beast. Or should I say, Fluffy Kittens 😕

Strawberry Golf Course, I always think of as Teenage Girls on Bolting Horses... though I don't think that name is commonly used...

Gah the Lilly Bank bit has been tarmacked, really? That's the best/most technical bit of that descent, always preferred it to the balls out fast bit!

You could see an exposed land drain behind the house on the last drop, suppose that's why it's been repaired, tarmac though 😐

How good is the tarmacking and drainage? If it's a cheapo bodged job it won't last long anyway 😈

The tarmac is an approx 1.5 wide ribbon. Can't comment on how long it will last. However it's looking a more robust surface than many from previous years. It is climbable but not by me, as you need to be fit :D.

Regarding the trail names. Many are the correct names from area maps, however as with many trails the locals use artistic licence to find a name. E.g we have 'surprise hill', 'Horsey girls drop', 'Zig and Zag' and 'Scouts Honour', all named tongue in cheek with humour, although once you've ridden up 'Surprise Hill' you'll no longer be laughing. 😯

I live in Whaley Bridge but never ridden Marple other than on the canal.

Could someone suggest a route ? i can approach via the canal or over the tops from Birch Vale and up to Mellor.

Many Thanks Phil

This covers some of it 🙂

https://www.strava.com/activities/1271698520

Here's my ride from Wednesday evening, this is our usual Marple route - ignore the drag from home (Cheadle Hulme) to Marple, that's just masochism 😀

[url= https://www.strava.com/activities/1350931897 ]Marple loops[/url]

Cheers thanks prouster, i'll adapt that and give it a ride.

Cheers mate, was thinking of heading up there Monday.

If you shout up, there's always someone around to guide.

I am beyond words...

[IMG] ?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=b426be79a052b536db4b32c52dda3cff&oe=5AF68C0F[/IMG]

That the railway embankment on the left of the pic nbt?

Yes it is. The picture is the bottom of the trail known as "Strawberry"

WTAF!

Yep. That's what I thought. Whilst appalling - let's hope they don't start creeping up the hill.

I'm guessing the tarmac is the cheapest option.

Jesus ‘kin wept! At least it looks like it’s only around that junction. Genuinely don’t understand why they’ve done it, wasn’t in a bad state at all.

Genuinely don’t understand why they’ve done it

So we can brake on a six pence after chipping down the descent at Mach 10?

Seriously though, I'm slowing up at that tarmac bit after descending through the golf course, anticipating horses/red socks coming from the right . This work [b] may [/b] facilitate bike users keeping speed up at that point. Just like speeds were way faster down strawberry descent after they widened/fattened it last time, meaning less capable riders flying down a smooth section of trail which was loose with chippings and difficult to stop without skidding etc. Doesn't help user conflict IMO.

Was planning on doing some bits round there tomorrow, so is the likes of strawberry descent now not worth it or?

Strawberry is closed

Holy ****!!!!! That's just .......

Sorry words fail me. Any idea how far along to the left next to the embankment it goes?

That's bloody vandalism, awful for taking a horse up as well.

Wow... that's quite extraordinary. I might nip over and have a look tomorrow. It males the Aspenshaw Hall stuff look quite sympathetic.

I'm still running into old metal cat eye holders in the surface at Aspenshaw. Shocking.

Aspenshaw was ****ed when the had to resurface it though

Agreed.

That and the farmer at the top wanted to be able to use it as an access road, which I'm guessing is now why it's quite as wide as it is. Takes a lot of drainage though and never survived after previous repairs, whereas it now incorporates storm drains. But I'm not sure the degree of destruction should be used to justify over-zealous repairs.

So.. having wombled over for a closer look as part of a gentle amble around, I have to say, I'm kind of baffled. It's not really tarmac anyway, more tamped down hardcore stuff and I can't imagine it's going to last very long when the rain and run-off gets at it.

I don't think it's 'ruined' any interesting riding, but it just seems completely out of keeping with the surroundings and sets a slightly worrying precedent, though that's nothing new for Stockport Council given what they did to The Banks zig-zags a few years back.

But on balance, colour me non-plussed 🙄

BWD - did you get to see the BW up Lily Bank? Which is just a long strip of the stuff at the bottom of (Strawberry Hill) Shielan descent.

Nope, I had tired legs and couldn't really be bothered with the drag back up the hill because I am lazy. I'll pop out and have a look some time this week though. It's all very strange.

Perhaps they'll build a roundabout next, that would be quite cool and allow for better trail user integration...

It is very odd, I ran round there this morning
The road/ bridleway across the golf course has already had some sketchy gravel patching the holes, the bit up the side of the houses towards the cross (strawberry?) seems really odd- idiots will now fly down whereas before it self policed decent riders only or runners- was lightly used in my experience, now likely much heavier use
The bit down the bottom by the railway I have no idea what they’re up to- not tough enough for vehicles to turn on, and surely they aren’t going to go right up the hill? Or right along to roman lakes where there are far worse bits of track

the bit up the side of the houses towards the cross (strawberry?) seems really odd- idiots will now fly down whereas before it self policed decent riders only or runners- was lightly used in my experience, now likely much heavier use

I suspect people will just ride the zig-zags as a downhill, which is a more interesting track unless you're on a cross bike. More likely to be used as a climb I think. The other bit is just baffling - conceptual art maybe?

Has anyone been up there this week? Just wondering if the closures are still in place.

Cheers

Been out today to check it out. Thankfully the "repairs" extend down towards Windybottom farm from the point pictured, so the fast descent down "strawberry" is untouched and is now completely open, as long as you turn left at the bottom back towards Strines Station. It was possible to turn right and get through to Roman Lakes today, but when the workmen are there I think it will be closed. They should be finished soon as there's just a few metres of top surface left but in truth it's one of the worst jobs I've seen. The damage done was due to water erosion from the water running down the hill, which they've completely failed to sort out, so the work will probably last months. The path is not wide enough for the tractor to get through to the fields, nor for two horses to pass side-by-side. Worse, the top surface is made of a mix of road planings (which are not supposed to be used where they may end up in a watercourse, according to the horse rider to whom we were chatting about the poor job) and recycled plastics, which also raises concerns about the plastics ending up in a watercourse. And, of course, as we now have a wide flat surface, the increased speed of cyclist will lead to an increase in perceived and perhaps even actual trail conflict.

Just in case anyone was wondering what had happened to this, a friend rode it the other day and the weird asphalted track has apparently been extended pretty much as far as the tunnel/bridge just beyond the farmlet with the dogs and horses and stuff,

Admittedly that whole section has been quite chewed up by water erosion and a section of perma-mud, but the new bit has all the subtle situational empathy as turning up to a funeral in a pair of Speedos and a rubber cap. It just seems weird and extraordinarily out of place.

Should be super quick on a cross bike though 🙂

Hmm… used to stick to BP & BOATS mostly when I lived around there… but the more they suburbanise the RoW network, the more they're asking people to ride off-piste to enjoy a bit of mountain biking.

The council have also put new surface down on the other side of the river. Which is the BW over the Roman bridge and leading along to the steep climb up to Strines road.

The latest closure is the Millenium Walkway due to a broken drainpipe(!), according to a volunteer in the Heritage Centre

The latest closure is the Millenium Walkway due to a broken drainpipe(!), according to a volunteer in the Heritage Centre

That's because there's raw sewage pouring out of an overflow pipe near the station and onto the walkway. Nice... they're trying to find the source of the sewage using dyes and stuff.

Also apparently messed with is the track near Mellor Cross. There's rubble on the bottom of the main track for comedy braking  effects, but I gather there's also been some flattening to facilitate the repair of the cross, though I've not seen it myself.

And remember kids, sewage is bad for you. Don't inhale.

Yes, that track (Black Lane?) has indeed been flattened, and extended to the cross itself (nice picnic spot!).

Whilst it's destroyed a nice descent, it now works quite well as a short climb on the way to Zig and Zag.

Hmmm... it's ruined a neat little technical climb would be my take on that... oh well. It won't last.