Storom two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Storom here.

The western half of StoRom1 has been updated here in order to provide some respite from traffic noise. There is also an alteration to the route into Romiley.
Both Sto-Rom1 and this route have two features that might preclude wheelchairs and scooters:
1 A short flight of steps
2. The gradient and slope of the descent to the Goyt might be difficult when wet. Two alternatives for wheels will be outlined in Sto-Rom3.
Overall, the urban (western) route through Stockport is well provided with dropped kerbs and pedestrian crossings.
The route leaves the upper level of the station south and east on pedestrian facilities (photo 1, outside the station, unfortunately someone was sitting on the broad pavement to the left) to access Railway Road and crosses Wellington Road South (A6) and Edward Street at pedestrian lights (photo 2, looking back from Edward Street).
At Millbrook Street it uses the traffic-free walk (photo 3) from Millbrook Street to Middle Highgate which is crossed at pedestrian lights.
Then two short cuts (quiet streets no crossing facilities) onto Shawcross Street, a no-through-road to traffic, and across Saint Mary’s Way (A6188) on toucan lights (photo 4).
Here the route joins part of the Transport for Greater Manchester pedestrian/cycle routes on traffic-free separate paths bordered by allotments and recreation grounds to a quiet residential area (photo 5) and on to Banks Lane.
There is a choice here for access to the woodland paths above the River Goyt:
1. to the north, Park Lane, the main pedestrian access to Woodbank Park.
2. Bideford Road.
Both cross the A626 at pedestrian crossings and the entrances are well maintained and accessible to foot and wheel.
Unfortunately, both use part of the Fred Perry Way. I walked here earlier in the year and didn’t like the impression of ‘urban blight’ in contrast to the rest of the riverside paths. Others might disagree.
So from Banks Lane I recommend joining Sto-Rom 1 at Hempshaw Lane. There is no convenient pedestrian crossing of the A626 but low kerbs each side outside the welcoming pub restaurant, the Strawberry Gardens.
There are two entrances to the woods from Woodland Drive, I chose the direct route (photo 6), wide enough for a wheelchair, to join the Cricket Club access road (sealed surface).
This road descends to a path with a bridleway gate (photo 7) and footpath (beaten earth, possibly muddy in places in wet weather) above the southern bank of the River Goyt through attractive woodland. The descent to the River Goyt is broad and fairly steep and could be slippery in the wet (photo 8).
The Jim Fearnley Bridge across the river here has broad ramps each side (photo 9).
The climb up the other side includes a flight of three steps plus two steps, so suitable for use with care for a horse (some were on the path at the time) or walking with a bike or pushchair but not, as it stands, a wheelchair or scooter (photo 10).
There is a bridleway gate at the entrance to Dark Lane (Midshires Way, Alan Newton Way, NCR 55).
From here the route follows a local authority designated route to Romiley train station. This starts as a broad, smooth, unsealed bridleway of beaten chippings/earth/crushed limestone with two partial barriers to motor traffic partway along.
The lane then has a sealed surface, appears unused by traffic, and broadens slightly when it becomes Mill Lane. There is no footpath and the possibility of the odd motor visiting the kennels on the corner.
Just before the junction with the A627 is Stockport Hydro (photo 11), a fish ladder and Archimedes Screw generating electricity on the Goyt.
A few meters on a broad, separated, pedestrian/cycle pavement to the toucan crossing, with Romiley rail station signposted (photo 12), to access Vale Road (again signposted), which has a sealed surface.
There is a public car park for visitors to Chadkirk Country Estate and the entrance to a Business Park in the first few meters of Vale Road but it is otherwise a cul-de-sac for cars, having a bollard in the tunnel under the Peak Forest canal at the far end.
Like most people, I chose the road itself rather than the footpath from the back of the car park as this latter has traffic noise from the A627.
At the first corner Sto-Rom 2 leaves Sto-Rom 1 and the station is again signposted (photo 13). There is the option to join a footpath alongside the road (photo 14).
A detour of a few meters to visit Chadkirk Chapel and walled garden (photo 15) is clearly signposted.
Rejoining the road, the route continues up past St Chad’s Well, under the canal and through pleasant suburbs to Romiley Station, opposite which is the attractive Romiley Arms pub. This year there is a temporary pedestrian crossing here, which looks as if it might become a permanent feature.
7.6 kilometers, +107 m / -65 m, Max gradient + 7.8% (between St Chad's well and the canal)

The western half of StoRom1 has been updated here in order to provide some respite from traffic noise. There is also an alteration to the route into Romiley.
Both Sto-Rom1 and this route have two features that might preclude wheelchairs and scooters:
1 A short flight of steps
2. The gradient and slope of the descent to the Goyt might be difficult when wet. Two alternatives for wheels will be outlined in Sto-Rom3.
Overall, the urban (western) route through Stockport is well provided with dropped kerbs and pedestrian crossings.
The route leaves the upper level of the station south and east on pedestrian facilities (photo 1, outside the station, unfortunately someone was sitting on the broad pavement to the left) to access Railway Road and crosses Wellington Road South (A6) and Edward Street at pedestrian lights (photo 2, looking back from Edward Street).
At Millbrook Street it uses the traffic-free walk (photo 3) from Millbrook Street to Middle Highgate which is crossed at pedestrian lights.
Then two short cuts (quiet streets no crossing facilities) onto Shawcross Street, a no-through-road to traffic, and across Saint Mary’s Way (A6188) on toucan lights (photo 4).
Here the route joins part of the Transport for Greater Manchester pedestrian/cycle routes on traffic-free separate paths bordered by allotments and recreation grounds to a quiet residential area (photo 5) and on to Banks Lane.
There is a choice here for access to the woodland paths above the River Goyt:
1. to the north, Park Lane, the main pedestrian access to Woodbank Park.
2. Bideford Road.
Both cross the A626 at pedestrian crossings and the entrances are well maintained and accessible to foot and wheel.
Unfortunately, both use part of the Fred Perry Way. I walked here earlier in the year and didn’t like the impression of ‘urban blight’ in contrast to the rest of the riverside paths. Others might disagree.
So from Banks Lane I recommend joining Sto-Rom 1 at Hempshaw Lane. There is no convenient pedestrian crossing of the A626 but low kerbs each side outside the welcoming pub restaurant, the Strawberry Gardens.
There are two entrances to the woods from Woodland Drive, I chose the direct route (photo 6), wide enough for a wheelchair, to join the Cricket Club access road (sealed surface).
This road descends to a path with a bridleway gate (photo 7) and footpath (beaten earth, possibly muddy in places in wet weather) above the southern bank of the River Goyt through attractive woodland. The descent to the River Goyt is broad and fairly steep and could be slippery in the wet (photo 8).
The Jim Fearnley Bridge across the river here has broad ramps each side (photo 9).
The climb up the other side includes a flight of three steps plus two steps, so suitable for use with care for a horse (some were on the path at the time) or walking with a bike or pushchair but not, as it stands, a wheelchair or scooter (photo 10).
There is a bridleway gate at the entrance to Dark Lane (Midshires Way, Alan Newton Way, NCR 55).
From here the route follows a local authority designated route to Romiley train station. This starts as a broad, smooth, unsealed bridleway of beaten chippings/earth/crushed limestone with two partial barriers to motor traffic partway along.
The lane then has a sealed surface, appears unused by traffic, and broadens slightly when it becomes Mill Lane. There is no footpath and the possibility of the odd motor visiting the kennels on the corner.
Just before the junction with the A627 is Stockport Hydro (photo 11), a fish ladder and Archimedes Screw generating electricity on the Goyt.
A few meters on a broad, separated, pedestrian/cycle pavement to the toucan crossing, with Romiley rail station signposted (photo 12), to access Vale Road (again signposted), which has a sealed surface.
There is a public car park for visitors to Chadkirk Country Estate and the entrance to a Business Park in the first few meters of Vale Road but it is otherwise a cul-de-sac for cars, having a bollard in the tunnel under the Peak Forest canal at the far end.
Like most people, I chose the road itself rather than the footpath from the back of the car park as this latter has traffic noise from the A627.
At the first corner Sto-Rom 2 leaves Sto-Rom 1 and the station is again signposted (photo 13). There is the option to join a footpath alongside the road (photo 14).
A detour of a few meters to visit Chadkirk Chapel and walled garden (photo 15) is clearly signposted.
Rejoining the road, the route continues up past St Chad’s Well, under the canal and through pleasant suburbs to Romiley Station, opposite which is the attractive Romiley Arms pub. This year there is a temporary pedestrian crossing here, which looks as if it might become a permanent feature.
7.6 kilometers, +107 m / -65 m, Max gradient + 7.8% (between St Chad's well and the canal)