LichfieldAlrewas

Licalr two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By David Sanderson on 30 Apr 2021


Distance

10km/6mi

Ascent

93m

Descent

58m

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Description

Prettier, pedestrianised, more direct route through Lichfield from the station. A tiny correction of the previous route through Fradley which used a footpath which is now disused and overgrown. It now goes through a quiet residential street

Prettier, pedestrianised, more direct route through Lichfield from the station. A tiny correction of the previous route through Fradley which used a footpath which is now disused and overgrown. It now goes through a quiet residential street

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Licalr 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 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.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Not present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey 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)
Not 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.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Not present at time of survey Very slippery (1)
Maybe present Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Maybe present Long grass sections (1)
Present at time of survey 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)
Not present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey 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)
Not present at time of survey 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)
Not 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)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Maybe present Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
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)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not 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)
Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
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 40.0cm (1)

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 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.

20.0% of the route is on roads (1)

25.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

30.0% of the route is paved (1)

10.0% of the route is muddy (1)

5.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

5.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

3X February 2023 by Hugh Hudson
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Lichfield
Grid Ref SK1186909179
Lat / Lon 52.68020° / -1.82587°
Easting / Northing 411,869E / 309,179N
What3Words slug.gallons.career
Alrewas
Grid Ref SK1700315053
Lat / Lon 52.73287° / -1.74963°
Easting / Northing 417,003E / 315,053N
What3Words singles.bashful.realm

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

reviews


Hugh Hudson

05 Aug 2022 Summer

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.

  • Ken

    Ken

    24 Aug 2022

    Hello Hugh and David, not sure if anyone or all get a flag that I leave this message. We appear to have reached a compromise here and managed to give the route a snail. Hugh moving on can you leave a review for your new Lonbak-2 then we can perhaps get that snailed.

  • Hugh Hudson

    Hugh Hudson

    24 Aug 2022

    Thanks Ken - yes, I am happy to review my own LONBAK 2 route now that Lynn has walked it - I was a little reluctant initially because I haven't walked it end to end.

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Ken

15 Apr 2022 Spring

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.


David Sanderson

30 Apr 2021 Spring

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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Other Routes for Lichfield—Alrewas See all Slow Ways

Lichfield—Alrewas

Licalr one

Distance

10km/6mi

Ascent

73 m

Descent

42 m

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