Falpol one

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Review of Slow Ways Route Falpol one (Falkirk to Polmont)
I walked this route in reverse (i.e. from Polmont to Falkirk) on a cold, sunny day in November 2023. Unfortunately I found the route to be unsafe at one point and therefore cannot recommend it for inclusion in the network of trusted routes. The route begins at the crossroads in the middle of Polmont and heads uphill along a pavemented street until the railway station is passed. Just before the canal is reached, an un-named road to the right leads down to the canal towpath (not very clear on the mapping provided). Once on the towpath, the going is very simple until the proposed right turn at NS90337808, intended to give access to a railway underpass. On the ground, a right turn here proved to be impossible. However retracing our steps as far as NS90417806 allowed a John Muir Way-signposted footpath to be accessed. This could be followed down to the railway underpass at NS90397815. Although I managed to walk through this without too much difficulty, I would not feel comfortable recommending it to anyone else due to the narrowness of the path and its slightly disconcerting slope towards the adjacent burn. There was evidence that the local authority had been working to stabilise the banks of the burn on the south side of the underpass, and it would be ideal if this work could be extended to provide a handrail and/or wider path in the underpass itself. However given its present state, my companion and I decided to abandon the route at this point.

I was a tiny bit irritated at the start of our route, from Polmont, by the inaccuracy. Were we supposed to follow the B810 Station Road, or Marchmont Avenue? We opted for the B810 main road. We followed the canal towpath until the point where we needed to turn off to the north.
Although the gpx route follows the OS green diamond line, on the ground this is very difficult as it first crosses a field of bracken (passable in November, but possibly not in high summer) then crosses some fallen barriers and goes down steps to the river tunnel under the railway. There is a much better, gravelled and signposted footpath a little earlier.
I feel that I cannot fully recommend this route for all walkers, mainly because walking through the tunnel would feel dangerous for quite a few of people. The footpath is alongside a fast-flowing and polluted-looking river, and is only about 60cm wide. It cambers down towards the river, and could be slippery. Also, the roof of the tunnel starts curving inwards at a height of about 130cm, so anyone tall is going to have to bend over. It just feels a bit too dangerous to recommend. It is actually a part of the John Muir Way whose website at https://johnmuirway.org/route/falkirk-linlithgow/ says “The very low, narrow tunnel under the railway south of Callendar Park is impassable other than on foot” and “Railway underpass east of Hallglen: Narrow concrete path approximately 60 cm wide, sloping cross-fall and limited height clearance through tunnel under railway. 0.5 m drop into adjacent burn. Impassable with a horse or wheelchair, challenging with a bike.” Also, a review on the WalkHighlands website says “The narrow walkway is carefully angled towards the water at an angle just enough to make you feel uncomfortable...”
We abandoned the route at this point, and created an alternative.

A nice walk through the Calendar Woods, before heading to the canal. A great route.

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