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Storom Survey

3XFebruary 2022 by Ian V

Route description

This route avoids the flight of steps used by StoRom1 and 2. It was reviewed at the same time as StoRom2 eastern section. It is probably the shortest available route for both foot and wheel and is pleasant without being as rural and interesting as the previous two routes. It looks likely to be suitable for wheelchairs and scooters, though I don’t know their exact specifications. Initially the route follows StoRom2: The route leaves the upper level of the station south and east on pedestrian facilities (photo 1, outside the station looking towards Railway Road) 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 other than dropped kerbs) 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) at Maplecroft Here the route leaves StoRom2: Turning left on Knowsley Road to cross the A626 from Hampton Street, a no-through road with toucan crossings (photo 6). Across the road, care is needed to take Park Lane and not be distracted by the blue sign to Woodbank Park car park. There is a barrier partway along Park Lane (photo 7) at the park entrance with a chicane wide enough for a wheelchair. No closing time is indicated. Horse riding is banned. NCR 55 is signposted through the park on wide, smooth paths descending to a recent bridge over the River Goyt (photo 8, looking back), where NCR 55 is again signed. This broad, smooth path continues around a recreation ground (photo 9) and joins NCR 55 at Dark Lane (photo 10) following it south on the broad lane with an unsealed surface, mostly beaten gravel/chippings. At Goyt Hall Farm (photo 11), an impressive black & white building, there is the choice of continuing a further 500 metres to join Sto-Rom2, giving an interesting and more rural route of 9 kilometres, or turning left for a much shorter route. Here, we take the shorter route turning left onto Clapgate Road (photo 12), recently resurfaced at this end with a semi-porous tarmac-type surface. Clapgate Road is at present unsigned at this end but impossible to miss because of the impressive farm. It runs through farmland and the surface becomes concrete with a light sprinkling of gravel in the middle and sides. At the far end it enters a residential area of Bredbury Green and is signed as a footpath (photo 13, looking back). There is a pavement on the right hand side of Clapgate. Dropped kerbs here have not been modernised and may have a slight lip. The route continues on Bredbury Green road and crosses the A627 (Hatherlow) at a modern pedestrian crossing (from memory I thought it had lights but Google Street view shows no lights but a broad island with bollards in the centre of the road) and turns left and right to descend Gorsey Brow to meet the B6104, Stockport Road, which becomes Romiley’s main street. The route passes a popular pub restaurant, the Duke of York and pedestrian lights before the station. These lights are best used to access the station as the right-hand pavement has a narrow stretch after this and the lights outside the station might be temporary. 7.3 kilometres · +113 m / -71 m Max gradient +7.3 / -7.3% (Station info claims there is ramped access to train services in both directions. That towards Manchester has a 1 in 6 slope, whilst that towards Sheffield is 1 in 12)

About the surveyor

Coming soon.

Survey Contents

Grading

Path surface grading

3 Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.

Accessibility grading

X 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.

Photos

Photos from surveys are coming soon.

Facilities

  • Public toilet
  • Wheelchair accessible toilet
  • Present at time of survey Supermarket
  • Restaurant
  • Vegan restaurant
  • Accommodation
  • Accommodation < £50
  • Campsite
  • Bothy
  • Free wifi
  • Public phone
  • Mobile Phone Coverage
  • Train station
  • Present at time of survey Bench
  • Picnic table
  • Present at time of survey Bus stop
  • Ferry

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Challenges

  • Scrambling
  • Wading
  • Swimming
  • Climbing
  • Stepping stones
  • Very slippery
  • Very muddy
  • Very icy
  • Likely to flood
  • Long grass sections
  • Crops encroaching on path
  • Diverted path

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Obstacles

  • Stiles
  • Step and kerbs
  • Possible to avoid steps, if applicable
  • Flights of steps
  • Gates
  • Present at time of survey Kissing gates
  • Locked gates
  • Disables access gates
  • Cycle barriers
  • Ladders
  • Cattle grids
  • Fords
  • Narrow bridges
  • Ferry required
  • Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking
  • Unacceptable road walking
  • Dangerous road crossings
  • Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads
  • Walking on verges beside roads
  • Railway crossings
  • River crossings
  • Cattle possible
  • Horses possible
  • Tidal area
  • Potential falls
  • Exposed to elements
  • Remote area
  • Mountainous area
  • Military training area
  • No visible path
  • Seasonal nesting birds
  • Present at time of survey Other hazards

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Accessibility

  • Present at time of survey Free of stiles
  • Present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs
  • Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps
  • Maybe present Free of other obstacles

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Measurements

The narrowest part of the path is 80.00cm

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 16.10%

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 14.90%

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned

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Successfully completed

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Expert recommendations

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Terrain

82.00% of the route is on roads

90.00% of the route is paved

66.00% of the route is lit at night

There is no data on how muddy this route is

8.00% of the route is over rough ground

There is no data on long grass

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