Description
This is a safer alternative to BigKid One, based on Iain’s suggested route across the A500 dual carriageway.
There are only three possible crossing points of the 70mph A500 dual carriageway. BigKid One uses the footpath and the attached Google Streetview screenshot shows the position of the dangerous crossing. The BigKid Two crossing is safe, on an over bridge. The third option is an underbridge, but using this would mean a route using the road from Church Farm and through Dunkirk. This also has no pavement, like Deans Lane. It may be quieter, I don't know, but there is almost no verge. My third picture shows a suggested footpath alternative to avoid Deans Lane. This would need to be tested by someone and uploaded as a new route
This is a safer alternative to BigKid One, based on Iain’s suggested route across the A500 dual carriageway.
There are only three possible crossing points of the 70mph A500 dual carriageway. BigKid One uses the footpath and the attached Google Streetview screenshot shows the position of the dangerous crossing. The BigKid Two crossing is safe, on an over bridge. The third option is an underbridge, but using this would mean a route using the road from Church Farm and through Dunkirk. This also has no pavement, like Deans Lane. It may be quieter, I don't know, but there is almost no verge. My third picture shows a suggested footpath alternative to avoid Deans Lane. This would need to be tested by someone and uploaded as a new route
Status
This route has been reviewed by 3 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Bigkid two
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 3
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (3)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 1
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 3X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections. 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.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
Narrowest part of path: no data
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear (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.
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.
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.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Bignall End
Grid Ref
SJ8105450888
Lat / Lon
53.05492° / -2.28411°
Easting / Northing
381,054E / 350,888N
What3Words
contemplate.cover.dramatic
Kidsgrove
Grid Ref
SJ8372854378
Lat / Lon
53.08638° / -2.24440°
Easting / Northing
383,728E / 354,378N
What3Words
pill.foster.visits
| Bignall End | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SJ8105450888 |
| Lat / Lon | 53.05492° / -2.28411° |
| Easting / Northing | 381,054E / 350,888N |
| What3Words | contemplate.cover.dramatic |
| Kidsgrove | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SJ8372854378 |
| Lat / Lon | 53.08638° / -2.24440° |
| Easting / Northing | 383,728E / 354,378N |
| What3Words | pill.foster.visits |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Ken
30 Dec 2023Yet again a fast and busy road crossing dictates a Slow Way route. One iffy section of road walking but elsewhere there are pavements. Could be cattle in the one open field at the head of Bath Park wood. Services half way even accommodation but hardly required on this fairly short route which is a walk only, not recommended for wheels. Any ‘Bigkid’ offering to be a mascot for this Slow Way.
I walked from Kidsgrove station. This needs a summer review as it was still very wet in December 2023 but with a snail available I had to give it a go. Follow the orange line for the start of this walk, that line being the ever present colour of the canal here. Passing the disused portal of Brindley’s tunnel our route climbs up the access road. It continues on road up Boathorse Road, as the name records this was the way the boat horse went while men legged the boat through he tunnel.
The path alongside Bath Pool has a good surface, make the best of it, it doesn’t last. The definitive path (green or red dash line on OS) does not appear to be available through Bath Park woodland. The start was not clear but once on a path there is some old waymarks and a path is apparent on the ground. I looked to the SE of the small pond where the OS shows the path and decided it was far too narrow so stayed on the NW side. Later a small stream comes down a valley from the NW, it’s marked on the OS map, a sleeper bridge has a waymark and here we double back, don’t go up this valley. The path still has some evidence on the ground and leaving the woodland there are some dilapidated steps up to a stile onto the road.
Other reviews have failed to mention that accommodation is available here plus what was a Little Chef is now Greggs and Subway. Our path winds around the Travelodge to meet the road which allows a safe crossing of the busy dual carriageway. A pavement offers more protection as we climb to Red Street. The Crown here was closed but looked to be still trading. Deans Lane has been covered in other reviews so I went exploring and will offer Bigkid-3 to avoid this.
The road into Bignall has a pavement which would be improved with some cutting back and where it crosses sides at the road to Megacre it’s not the safest pavement design, done by a roads person, I guess. The meeting point on the edge of the settlement has a bus shelter, without seat but there is one close by. An Inn opposite and shops just a short distance along the road.
David Sanderson
29 Jan 2023Quite enjoyable to start with but then quite tricky to follow through the woods in the Bathpool Park. Very boggy on the day we walked it. The route is reasonably direct and from a safety point of view there is a section of road walking down Dean's Lane which has a reasonably wide verge. I would term this unpleasant rather than dangerous but that's the nub of this walk. There's not a whole heap to enjoy for most of it. Maybe a safer version of Bigkid One might be the answer. There's a pub half way and at either end but little else in the way of stops and supplies, but then it comes in under 6km so maybe not so important. A functional pass, but reassurance after a number of 4 and 5 star routes that I haven't lost my critical faculties! Steps and stiles on the route.
-
Mary Oz
30 Jan 2023A safer version of BigKid One is not possible. It needs a completely different route such as BigKid Two. I've added details and pictures/maps to the overview to explain why. It's difficult (impossible?) to find a good route for this Slow Way!
-
Share your thoughts
Mary Oz
29 Jan 2023This route involves some road walking, but it is difficult to find a good combination of direct, and off-road. It started off well from Kidsgrove passing the Harecastle Tunnel and Bath Pool. The path through Bathpool Park woods was muddy and unclear at times, and tricky to navigate. However, crossing the main roads near the big roundabout proved quite straightforward and safe. The first road as far as the Crown pub was fine and had a pavement. The second road, Dean’s Lane, had no pavement. There was a verge which we used whenever cars came past, and a 30mph speed limit, but it wasn’t great. The A5500 into Bignall End had a pavement though.
-
Share your thoughts
Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.
Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.
You can add up to 15 photos.
Other Routes for Bignall End—Kidsgrove See all Slow Ways
Review this better route and help establish a trusted network of walking routes.
Suggest a better route if it better meets our methodology.
Share your thoughts