Licalr two

Verified Slow Way

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I see that there are two previous reviews of this route - a 5 star and a 1 star. For me this is neither, more of a curate's egg (good in parts). I walked it from Lichfield to Alrewas as the middle part of a longer three route walk from Shenstone to Burton.

I like the route out of Lichfield. The OS map has not yet caught up with the new route out of the station and shows a building that is no longer there blocking the route, but if you trust the GPX you will be rewarded by a path that is now popular with locals.

The problems start after crossing the West Coast Main Line railway in Nether Stowe. As Ken says there is a high crash barrier between the road and the stile where the path starts, and the options are to climb over it or to walk round the end of the barrier (an extra 20 yards so barely worth mentioning).

My next problem was where the path leaves the railway - here the right of way goes straight across the field. This field is currently planted with 7 foot tall crops, and although a line through it has been cut, it is not easy to follow because new plants have grown across it and older ones have grown into it. After a determined battle through two fields things eased.

The approach to the Fradley industrial estate is interesting - at first sight the way forward seemed to be blocked by an enormous new warehouse building, but careful reading of the map shows that the right of way has been respected by the developers, and near the warehouse new fences keep you on the right line. The right of way has been diverted west round a small car park just before it emerges on to the road. The best option here is to cross immediately because the pavement on the far side continues all the way through the industrial estate. I agree with Ken that this is not pleasant, but it is no show stopper and is easy to follow. I liked the use of the old bridge between Fradley South and Fradley - since the bridge is closed to cars this road is quiet. At the far end of Fradley village the "path" through the housing estate is Edwards Farm Lane until you get to the footbridge leading to The Moor. The remainder of the route is mostly across clearly marked easy field paths, though beyond the A513 the way forward is almost obscured by overgrowth, and the line across the park is unmarked.

So with a little more use by the locals this could be a good route, but once again it is unsuitable for any form of wheels, and in their current state the field paths are challenging. I think three stars is fair.

This walk is doable and the exit from Lichfield pleasant as was the section from Fradley to Alrewas. The bit in the middle was neglected and not in any way pleasant. After the railway on the edge of Lichfield a steel traffic safety barrier obstructs the footpath stile then the fields had been heavy ploughed with no attempt to leave a path along the edge or mark out the cross field sections. A cropped field also failed to indicate the footpath. Perhaps occasional users are happy with a long detour around the edge. Section 134 of the Highway Act 1980 requires the occupier to make good the surface of the path, make it apparent on the ground and keep it clear of crops. Sad to report that requirement had been ignored here.
Approaching the eventual crossing point of HS2 evidence of former land use was apparent with a war time sunken air raid shelter still blighting the field. The path is easy to follow being confined between fencing but a nearby water course appears to flood onto the path at times. Entering the huge industrial estate there is a road side pavement but thundering lorries and other traffic are not good travel companions for those on foot.

Suddenly heavy traffic turns off and the enviroment changes with a parade of shops then we are into housing, such an abrupt change and things continue to improve through Fradley village and onto well walked paths across fields to Alrewas.

On the whole not a walk I would choose to repeat. It could offer a walking route to work but the area is only desinged for car use.

The route takes you around the (openair) bus station across the new green on the site where the police station used to be (and is still marked on maps!) You then walk through a scenic part of Lichfield taking in the Theatre, Market Square, Minster Pool all with the Cathedral in the background. You then turn to walk past Stowe Pool and St Chads Church before following a footpath to Netherstowe where there are the last shops, pub and takeaways for the next few kilometres. The footpath between the edge of Lichfield and Fradley is reasonably clear and easy to follow. I encountered some HS2 employees who had erected some knee high hurdles along where the route will be but I was able to step over these. The route was clear and walking through Fradley, back on pavements is simple. This is the half way point of the route and Fradley South has a supermarket and a raft of shops. This part of the route is popular and well used by locals. Having crossed the Coventry Canal you enter the old part of the village and the Post Office is the last shop for the next couple of kilometres. A series of clear flat dirt paths get you from Fradley into Alrewas. once you have crossed the recreation ground you are nearly at the meeting point which is a couple of streets away.

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