Sometimes it’s that the adjacent landowner wants nothing to do with path users and erects a screen to protect them and their property from path users. The walk along Weston Road is noisy and at the far end a sign directs cyclists to cross so that may be a better route. More essential duckboards on the other side then the path bursts out into a large green area, escape at last. Cynical me wonders how long this will remain green as large scale development is taking place on the other side of the hedge and west of the A5020 where a roundabout is ready and waiting for connecting roads. Weston has, or more likely had, a convenience store but it does have a large inn cum hotel perhaps filled with users of the three recreational walking routes that pass through. We can’t go wrong to the road crossing although something is not quite in the correct place. Staffordshire stiles, for Staffordshire read decrepit, take us to Mill Dale Farm where users of Audley FP12 are required to walk on water so it’s a bit confusing. Our path, Audley 10 has been broken up into small cattle grazing paddocks. Crossing the road we take Audley FP81 where a sign warns ’Beware of Alpaca’. Under the motorway then crossing a minor road to rejoin the TSW passing a reservoir and a very muddy field and eventually dropping down towards Audley....

Ken

The quiet road offers a safe passage under the A500 then at Dunkirk work was in progress to make the old road, now closed to traffic, into a good footpath. This is an excellent easy path with good links to two crossing footpaths one passes on a bridge, high over the trail with good quality steps to make the link....

Ken

Yet again a fast and busy road crossing dictates a Slow Way route. Passing the disused portal of Brindley’s tunnel our route climbs up the access road. Our path winds around the Travelodge to meet the road which allows a safe crossing of the busy dual carriageway. We pass Dean’s Lane turning right along a footpath signed road that becomes a path alongside a school. The recorded path continues to the road but we can bear left over the grass to follow the narrow lane safely segregated by a strip of trees and bushes....

Ken

Eventually into real countryside and on the Two Saints Way, while it was muddy after endless rain, the track improved along a long gone rail route. Thorpe Precast occupies the site of Apedale Colliery, here they make building panels that look like bricks. Crossing the road we enter Apedale Country Park and here I came to an abrupt stop. The visitor centre by the car park stands on the site of Apedale Iron Works and has much to offer. Turning into suburban streets past a former hotel now apartments the route offers a light controlled crossing of the ring road....

Ken

Yet again a fast and busy road crossing dictates a Slow Way route. It continues on road up Boathorse Road, as the name records this was the way the boat horse went while men legged the boat through he tunnel. Our path winds around the Travelodge to meet the road which allows a safe crossing of the busy dual carriageway. The road into Bignall has a pavement which would be improved with some cutting back and where it crosses sides at the road to Megacre it’s not the safest pavement design, done by a roads person, I guess....

Ken

At the end of the walk The Plough is a good place to wait for the bus as the stop is on the other side of the road....

Potteries Outdoor Group

It was overcast with mizzle on the day we walked it, but I'm aware that on a clear day that some of the sections afford great views....

David Sanderson

Further cycle tracks (with one large puddle) took us past Apedale Valley Light Railway, which looked interesting, and through Apedale Country Park....

Mary Oz

The route is reasonably direct and from a safety point of view there is a section of road walking down Dean's Lane which has a reasonably wide verge....

David Sanderson

This route involves some road walking, but it is difficult to find a good combination of direct, and off-road....

Mary Oz

Not walked, but based on Iain's review, and on looking carefully on Google Street View, I agree, this route is dangerous and should be failed....

Mary Oz

This route is dangerous, it crosses the A500 a motorway standard dual carriageway , A better route would be to use the Newcastle Way from Kidsgrove to the Wedgewood monument then drop down into Bignall Hill, picking up the route past Diglake. I would not use this route under any circumstances....

IAIN CHIPPENDALE