Alrtam two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Alrtam here.

A very straightforward start to this walk from the meeting point in Tamworth up the pavements of Victoria Road to the railway station. Instead of going into the station you go around to the right of the roundabout with its statue of Queen Æthelflæd (911-918). Passing under the railway, the path goes through a small caravan park (it’s very well marked) and then under another line (Tamworth Station is on a crossroads of railways between Cornwall and Scotland, and London and the Northwest). You come out by the River Anker past a brand new housing estate. Although the path is marked to continue along the riverbank, you can continue along the tarmac path alongside the new road. They both lead to the same place. The next section across the fields is really well marked and very easy to follow. As you ascend you start to get views across the valleys and some good views of Tamworth behind you. After crossing the B5493 the route heads north along clear tracks and paths from which you get some amazing views over towards Lichfield and even as far as Rugeley (I didn’t realise at the time that those cooling towers would be gone by noon the next day). This was my favourite part of the walk. The descent takes you to Main Road, from there it’s a short walk into the pretty village of Harlaston. There, is the only shop of the walk and the only pub. The pub requires a slight diversion from Alrtam 2 because the safest way to cross Harlaston is via the footpath, the lane which the pub is on is not very pedestrian friendly beyond the pub itself. The footpath beyond goes through a nature reserve and crosses the River Mease (the second river of the day). It is on the other side of this reserve that you reach the village of Edingale. From here it’s all pretty well all road walking. I walked the route on a Saturday morning and the fellow users were mainly bikes but also many cars which didn’t seem to drive particularly carefully. I only encountered one other pedestrian, a runner in the village of Croxall. It was also in Croxall where I had my scariest moment where a motorist got quite close to me whilst he was overtaking cyclists. The next section, following the A513 under the narrow railway bridge as far as the traffic lights at the River Tame required nerves of steel. I would never attempt this section of the walk with children or animals. Having crossed my third river of the day, the spectacular River Tame (as a cormorant flew overhead) I was relieved to be able to cross over a stile into the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum for a short section of the walk. Please note that the route chucks you out on the lane before you get to the car park. I was told by a volunteer that the car park is strictly out of bounds (Alrtam one directed you through here). The lane walking is quite relaxed as it runs parallel to the A513 which takes the majority of the traffic. Crossing the railway at the level crossing was easy but then comes the problem of getting across the A38 dual carriageway when there is no lights, bridge or underpass. Instead, there is a suggested crossing which certainly got my heart racing, especially as having crossed the four lanes you then find yourself having to cross what is effectively a slip road. From here the walk is along the very pretty Main Street in Alrewas which offers plenty of opportunities to get something to eat or drink before getting the bus from the meeting point. In summary, I’ve approved this walk but because of the potential hazards in the last section it scrapes it. The three rivers and the section from Tamworth to Edingale made me feel the walk was worthwhile but I think to get people walking from Alrewas to Tamworth there must be a safer alternative.

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