Ashtnew one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Ashtnew here.

A fairly straightforward route. Although it uses footpaths, it is mostly a road walk, although some of the footpaths may be too muddy or uneven for wheeled users.

From the centre of Ashton-in-Makerfield, we use a few roads with good pavements and crossings to reach Ashton Heath. Past the actual heath, the road becomes unpaved, although it only serves a farm, so little traffic. Here we join a footpath that runs between hedges and the fence of the racecourse. Both this, and the field into which we move through next, can be wet and muddy in poor weather, but not impassable.

At the end, we join another muddy footpath, before taking a junction onto a tarmac track that runs across the starting straight of the racecourse and onto an unpaved track beyond, which is a quiet rural walk, closed to almost all traffic.

From the track, we join a residential road, and from here, it's pavements all the way. There's a busy crossroads to negotiate, where there is a crossing, but you do have to time it right. The road ahead is shaded by trees, and can be covered in wet leaves in autumn and winter.

Once under the motorway bridge, the road emerges into Newton-le-Willows, passing the church and a couple of pubs before ending (or starting) at the station.

Both ends are well-served by public transport and shops.

A short route with heavy use of pavements next to busy roads, but with a more rural northern-section.

Walked in reverse. In Newton and Ashton, it is well-paved, with good facilities and transport links. However after tuning into Rob Lane and beyond Haydock racecourse, it is liable to become muddy. There is also a small section that is surfaced with sand where the route crosses the racecourse.

Crossing the East Lancs Road (dual carriageway) can be problematic, with long waits during periods of heavy traffic, however this isn't easily avoided.

Whilst legally questionable, it would be passable using an off-road cycle, subject to occasional dismounting. However, tight clearances between bollards and gates is likely to prevent wheelchair access.

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