Soukir one

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Walked from South Normanton to Kirkby. Having read the previous reviews I was aware of the likely problems and if anything it was easier than I expected. I did find the stile on Pinxton Lane, admittedly deeply buried in undergrowth. There appears to be a paved alternative between the field and the big warehouse but I didn't check the access at the north end. No major issues with the field paths. It is difficult to see a better alternative unless the path that crosses Pinxton Lane at Crow Trees Farm is viable.

From South Normanton, the route selection seems a little strange - yes there is a short section of path, but it is enclosed by fences and it would be quicker just to walk along High Street to reach Church Street. The path from Sough Road up to the M1 bridge is still constrained by high security fences and there is still no sign of any development starting in the field. Beyond the bridge we turn right along a path that leads us to Ball Hill without incident. At the junction you have the choice of stepping over a crash barrier or following a little path around its east end. We follow the pavements out to the A38 roundabouts. Our path leaves down steps from the second roundabout (not before it) and as Ken says, at the bottom of the steps the easiest thing is to head right to pick up the surfaced track/lane parallel to the main road.

This lane leads us around the wood to emerge on Farmwell Lane, a busy road through the industrial estate that has wide pavements on both sides. I followed the GPX plot and took the path that starts on the surfaced path on the near side of the second pool then leaves it to head up grass into the field, and down to the gate (picture 7), where there is a stile in the undergrowth over the little fence right of the gate, so it is possible to reach Pinxton Lane on the right of way. The neglect of this route is probably because there is a surfaced track (picture 8) alongside the warehouse fence east of the right of way - OpenStreetMap seems to suggest that this track is public, but there are no signs that confirm this.

As Ken says, Pinxton Lane is narrow and fairly busy and its verges are not flat enough to walk on, so take care on this section, which to me is the biggest problem with this route. We take the second signposted fieldpath right (not the bridleway). The strip through the first field was cut but overgrown with weeds higher than the surrounding wheat in places. Passable with a little determination. At the bottom of the field the cut strip ends, but there is an unofficial path along the edge of the trees, which we can follow right to find the bridge over the dumble.

The path continues up the right hand side of the old railway, which is behind a barbed wire fence that cannot be crossed where the right of way crosses it, but a field track a little higher up allows us to cross. I saw a local dog walker coming down the old railway track and chose to follow it rather than trying to use the narrow cut strip along the right edge of the left hand field. Either way it is easy enough to reach the path up that comes up from Pinxton, and I can confirm that the plank bridge Ken mentioned and pictured has now been replaced (picture 11), and the direct path over the field at the top of the hill is currently well cut and easy to follow - it is worth turning round to look at the view.

Where the path leaves the field to enter Cowpasture Lane (no pastures or cows now), most locals seem to stay in the field, but I had no problems following the slightly overgrown lane which becomes a surfaced road lower down. From Kirkby Cross it is easiest to cross Sutton Road at the lights, and from here along but easy pavement walk down Chapel Street, The Hill, Victoria Road, Lane End and Station Street (five names for what is really one road!) to the Kirkby meeting point. I have to admit skipping the section beyond the railway station because a Nottingham train was due soon, but I have done that before when walking other SlowWays routes.

I walked South Normanton to Kirkby on a dry autumn day. The plotting is good but there are issues plus steps and stiles along with gates.

The exit from South Normanton is straight forward with an eye kept on the plot. I'm not sure that the footpath route over the motorway has any benefit compared with staying on the roadside pavement. The Safety barrier at Ball Hill obstructs the path although it is possible to detour around the end. There is no finger post to assist if walking from Kirkby.

The roadside pavement is narrow in places and the narrow road means that traffic can pass quite close. The road crossing at the approach to the shopping outlet are fair. At the south side of the A38 bridge look west and note the tarmac track partitioned from the busy road, this is the onward footpath.

A one step stile helps passage over the traffic safety barrier then steps down, turn right then left onto that track seen from the bridge. It's noisy but easy walking along a tarmac then stone path to the road. Cross the road and turn left along the wide excellent pavement which has bollards as well as yellow lines to prevent unauthorised parking.

There is no finger post where the footpath leaves the road, perhaps because the road is unadopted and the footpath is recorded sort of along the pavement. An interesting sculpture sits in the balancing pond out of sight for all but the likes of us on foot. The path finally enters a field but another hugh shed still dominates the landscape.

It's a shame there is no escape from the field and for this reason I must fail the route although I did find a section of fence to climb. There is also no finger post to assure us we should be there. Both issues have been reported to Derbyshire County Council.

The road is not pleasant and some drivers are clearly unaware of the requirement to give pedestrians space. I left at the bridleway sign, that's not the route but a mown path along the field edge is very helpful. At the footpath sign there was no sign of the path across the large cropped field. I'm guessing that we are expected to use the bridleway which was left unploughed but would be a walk around the square rather than direct. Looking again at the map it appears that the finger post is in the wrong place but now in Nottinghamshire there is no online map to consult.

There is no cross field reinstatement as required by the Highway Act 1980 section 134. The penalty for non compliance could be a fine up to £1,000 but it's unlikely to be imposed so farmers know they are safe to ignore this law to our detriment. The crossing point of the old rail route is obstructed but a farm track is close by. Again no sign of the path which does not follow the hedge.

At the next boundary crossing a mile and a half from the road an official sign tells me the path is closed due to an unsafe bridge and adds that there is no suitable alternative route. I can't report how I dealt with this but offer you a picture of a simple two plank ditch crossing over a shallow dry ditch which has been closed for two months and I suspect has been in poor but useable condition for years.

I met a couple dog walking along a well used field edge path. It's not a public right of way but unlike the public paths this permissive path is well maintained. The cynic in me has a theory about this area which again I'm unable to publish.

Cow Pasture Lane meets the urban roads at the weathered Kirkby Cross. It's then a pavement slog passing the rail station to the meeting place.

I walked this route from KIrkby. The route starts on the wide pavements of a busy road. At Kirkby Cross we join a lane leading to a footpath across the fields. The route is obvious (After rain it would probably be muddy). Down the steep slope off the limestone plateau we approach a stile. Map reading is important in the next section to negotiate the route across arable fields where the farmer has not reinstated the line of the path. Once we reach the route of the former Great Central railway (now a woodland and farm tipping area) we turn north along the woodland edge. Where the woodland ends the path is straight ahead but once again is not visible on the ground. At the crest of the hill we reach Pinxton Lane.
This is a busy narrow road but there is a wide verge to walk on. The entrance to the footpath leading to McArthur Glen is blocked and overgrown with brambles. A rough path leads onwards to pick up the service roads around the 'Retail Outlet'. Alongside the boundary fence of the busy A38, and then at the underbridge spot an overgrown path leading up steeply onto the bridge. From here follow the pavement alongside busy roads until the M1 is reached. A narrow constricted path leads to a footbridge over the motorway and then onwards to the outskirts of S Normanton. From here quiet residential streets lead to the centre. Discounting the town sections at either end, a short stretch in the middle of this walk is pleasant countryside walking, but the rest is a battle against encroaching development. A functional but not memorable route.

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