Bissta one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Bissta here.

Hi Vic. Do you think a route like this would work for the BisSta slow way? Sounds like you've got local knowledge.
https://www.plotaroute.com/map/2096985
Thanks, Daisy

Hi Daisy. I am away from home for a few days. I have failed to view your route. This is most probably either my mobile devices are limited or I have to open plotaroute account. I'll be in touch in a few days. Regards Vic

Hi Vic. You shouldn't need a plotaroute account to see the route, basically it's via Birchanger. But there's no rush at all and you've probably got better things to do while you are away anyhow. I checked the link while I was logged out (it worked) but found I had accidentally shared the wrong link. It should have been this one instead https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2097004 Maybe just as well you couldn't see it! Cheers, Daisy

Hello again and yes I had no problem viewing your propsed route. The only major hazard this route presents is crossing the Bishop's Stortford By-Pass (A120). This is a busy East-West trunk road and the crossing area is within the national speed limit (60mph); though currently due to extensive roadworks at the M11 juction this does vary. I know there are a number of footpaths that cross major roads and dual carriageways but I avoid and would not promote them ; an age thing I guess. If I do walk/run to Stansted I cross the A120 at the roundabout (east side) which offers a central resevation. Then heading towards Stansted take the first footpath across a field to the right etc etc.
A eastward route would be across fields to Start Hill, Flytch Way to a left track, cross road and follow a track back to Birchanger. I am sure you can fill in the bits.
For a west route I suggest you explore appropriate Slow Way routes listed from Stortford and Stansted probable joining at Farnham.
If you are not local I will be happy to test any route you suggest. My reluctance to present one is because any route that is free of a major road crossing makes for a long trek. I'm not negative just cautious. Enjoy Life. Vic

Hi Vic and Daisy
I have had a go at plotting a route which I think fits your recommendations as much as possible. It does involve some of the pavement of B1383, but it crosses the A120 at the roundabout as you suggest. It's slightly shorter than the others, and still has some parkland and fields. I hope it works!

Hello Mary, Did you intend to send a copy of your proposed route? I would be interested in how far along the B1383 your route covers. Is it as far as the track on the right after the roundabout? If it is the path ends oppposite a lane (a local cut through) which if followed leads a junction with a secondary road (bus route and a cut through from a new esate and Stansted). Turning left a short distance opppsite is a path that leads into Stansted via the railway station.
I will admit that I am not offering a route as having walked/run between the towns over a good few years using all paths I do not feel comfortable presenting any reccomendations.
Have you walked your route? If you live locally I am willing to show you all the routes but I cannot do so for another months.
Enjoy all walks of life.

Hi again. Should read ... for another month.

Hi again. I have found your route. My earlier comments remain as before and I would add crossing at the junction where you leave the B1383 is not easy as you cannot see traffic coming from the right unless you walk to the right away from the crossing point.

Hello Vic. Sorry for the very long delay in replying.

There's a bug in the system and only the reviewer gets notified about replies, not the repliers. I saw your replies to Mary and wonder if (yet) another route is worth uploading. This one is , hopefully, pretty much as you've explained, and has a lot of off road.

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2412796?units=miles

If you haven't lost patience with this I wondered if you could just check if the road on this are fairly comfortable. Or anything else you might think is important.

I used your "take first path on right after roundabout" suggestion but I didn't go up Tot Lane as you didn't sound that keen, I used the one starting at Wood Lane in the village. The southern end is quite different, I had no idea how many usable paths there are along the River Stort floodplain. Last year there were very few on OSM maps like plotaroute and OS maps and apps hardly show any - I think Mary and Dan both use the OS app.

Via Start Hill or via Farnham look good for the off-road but yes, not great for directness. And on reflection I think the A120 crossing I suggested the first time at Birchanger Wood is a problem. Hopefully this is a happy medium.

I'll check back in a couple of days. May these blue skies continue. Daisy

Hi. I am enjoying everyone's attempt to slove this conundrum. I am away for a month. I agree there are suitable routes that bypass the hazards mentioned but they are far from direct though quite pleasant.

I know what you mean, designing new Slow Ways is a very satisfying puzzle! The extra attention right now is because of to the push to Fill The A to Z Gaps, this one is R linking The Wash to London.
I'll probably upload this new route simply because the long riverside section looks like a lovely walk. It's a real shame that we can't follow the river for longer, perhaps the two councils will put their heads together and arrange a permissive way between those two footpaths near Gipsy Lane.
Enjoy your time away and thanks again. Daisy