A walking route linking Greater Manchester to Macclesfield has been completed
The 11 mile Middleton Way links Marple to the Cheshire Town using the route of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway.
Access to Macclesfield railway station has been signifcantly improved with the opening of this scheme and many people can now choose to arrive by bike and explore the beautiful surroundings.
Cheshire East Council worked with the UK’s walking, wheeling, cycling charity Sustrans to install two upgraded crossing points, on Black Lane and Hurdsfield Road to help bring this outstanding space back into wider use.
The footpath on Black Lane was widened to give space for people on bikes, wheelchairs or mobility scooters, as well as those on foot.
A busy exit junction for Tesco store was also modified into a controlled crossing. This allows people to safely cross over to the Middlewood Way, and to walk, wheel or cycle to the railway station.
These upgrades mean people on foot or cycle can now explore the magnificent scenery of Cheshire East, calling at the many picturesque towns and villages en route without having to compete with traffic.
Rosslyn Colderley, director for Sustrans in the North of England and who also attended the event, said: “I’m delighted these improvements on the Middlewood Way are now complete. The new crossing points and shared use path are key to enabling people in wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other mobility aids to safely accessing this beautiful route, as well as those on foot or bike.
“It’s a beautiful path for leisure and also a practical, direct route for people to travel in a healthier way to work, school or to the shops.
“The Middlewood Way is part of the National Cycle Network. Sustrans is working across the UK to improve the quality of the network and create paths that everyone can enjoy, whatever their age or ability.”
