Bamber BridgeWheelton

Bamwhe two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By Mary Oz on 16 Sep 2023


Distance

9km/6mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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Description

This route avoids the blocked footpath and the dangerous road crossing where the A6 meets the M6 at the edge of Bamber Bridge. It also corrects some inaccuracies for the M61 crossing shortly afterwards, in the middle of the southern half of Cuerden Park, and at a couple of places near the Whittle Hills

This route avoids the blocked footpath and the dangerous road crossing where the A6 meets the M6 at the edge of Bamber Bridge. It also corrects some inaccuracies for the M61 crossing shortly afterwards, in the middle of the southern half of Cuerden Park, and at a couple of places near the Whittle Hills

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Bamwhe two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 6

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 4X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Maybe present Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Maybe present Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Maybe present Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Maybe present Likely to flood (1)
Present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Maybe present Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Maybe present Flights of steps (1)
Maybe present Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Maybe present Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Maybe present Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Maybe present Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 20.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 18.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 58.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 11.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X September 2023 by Mary Oz
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Bamber Bridge
Grid Ref SD5651125819
Lat / Lon 53.72696° / -2.66061°
Easting / Northing 356,511E / 425,819N
What3Words with.abode.list
Wheelton
Grid Ref SD6002421188
Lat / Lon 53.68562° / -2.60677°
Easting / Northing 360,024E / 421,188N
What3Words appear.dorms.speeded

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews


Greengibbo77

03 Feb 2024 Winter

The previous two reviews for this Slowway are excellent and capture the character of the walk. A large proportion of the walk is along tarmac paths. It's only the 500m section between North Bank Farm and Denham Springs Farm that is wet and muddy (most of the year I guess!). This walk crosses three motorways, firstly under the M65, then over the M6 and finally towards the end of the walk, under the M61 through an intimidating tunnel (need a torch).
I did the walk from Bamber Bridge and after some pavement walking (don't miss the information board at The Hob Inn - fascinating local WW2 story) you enter Cuerden Valley Park with easy walking alongside the River Lostock. At the end of the park there's some more pavement walking before the views open out to the south-east towards Winter Hill. Pleasant rural footpaths take you to Hill Foot Farm before reaching North Bank Farm where the footpath quality declines rapidly. From here it's wet and muddy until Denham Springs when you're back onto a road. Lower Copthurst Road has no verge and the blind corner could be dangerous - take care! The Top Lock pub is available for refreshment before heading down Kenyon Lane into Wheelton. Didn't try the Tea Room but I've heard it's really friendly.
A really pleasant and easy walk spoilt a little by the M65 tunnel.


JessGreen

07 Oct 2023 Autumn

We walked this route on a (unseasonably!) warm day in October. There were four of us and a dog. Most of the walk was really nice through what felt like a big park with clear, tarmacked paths. It would be accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. The further we got in to the park the quieter it became and we sat by a big lake for lunch.

The final third of the walk became a bit tricky starting from when the route went under the M6. The tunnel is long and dark. Both my friend and I agreed there's no way we would walk that as women if we were walking alone. We finally came out the other end and followed a path through fields with some nice views. It became increasingly muddy and overgrown. There were whole stretches of ankle deep water we had to wade through and we all got stung by nettles.

The tea room in Wheelton at the end was lovely, we had tea and scones and it was really dog friendly.

I would recommend this walk to seasoned walkers but with the warning about the mud/water/overgrown stretch. I wouldn't recommend it to women walking alone which is a shame because it's only a tiny bit of the overall walk!.


Mary Oz

16 Sep 2023 Summer

From Bamber Bridge I soon reached Cuerden Park, along roads with safe crossings. Once in the park, most of the paths were tarmacked although a few were compacted gravel. The route was generally very easy to follow, and the sound of the motorway gradually faded. It was lovely and leafy with lots of birdsong. There was a small detour possible, to the Visitor Centre, but there were also benches and tables dotted about. The route followed the River Lostock, and I was 65% through the route by the time I left the park altogether.
At Whittle I headed up some steep streets with pavement parking, then through what looked like a private driveway, but there was a stile at the end. From here there was a lovely path with a good view to the south.
If you are interested in the history of canals, the section at Whittle Quarries and Hills is fascinating. There were canal tunnels here, and little patches of water are just visible below you through the leaves into the gardens. A small detour west would take you to more evidence. This was once a short section of the Lancaster Canal which joined the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Johnson’s Hillock. Most of this section of canal was obliterated by the building of the M61.
I have explored around here previously so at least I was forewarned about the next bit. The path went through the edge of a horse field, via stiles, and along the back of gardens to descend a slippery, steep, muddy path (a bit overgrown with Himalayan Balsam at the time) to go under the motorway. Bring a torch! Actually my phone’s torch was sufficient.
The path the other side, continuing along the River Lostock, was muddy and a bit overgrown too, but all these paths appear to be in use. The road at the end was a great relief, but maybe it's easier in a different season.
Generally, this walk was very pleasant indeed. Animals I spotted included a tiny harvest mouse, pheasants, a horse and a peacock! Just the motorway crossing before Wheelton was difficult. There was a lovely café at Wheelton as a reward.


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Bamber Bridge—Wheelton

Bamwhe one

Distance

9km/6mi

Ascent

167 m

Descent

94 m

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