Cheshire Cycleway

Red Route: the section of A34 between the B5392 and the Redesmere turn is too dangerous for families and for cyclists who don't like 'mixing it' with aggressive drivers. The pavement on the west side of the road is an alternative, but it is narrow, high-kerbed (in case children wobble off it into the road and into the path of speeding lorries), and fast lorries create a bow-wave/vacuum effect here that is very frightening for inexperienced cyclists. The Redesmere route is also very narrow in places, with steep hills and bends which will mean the less strong getting off and walking pushing their bikes, or descending too fast in the other direction and taking blind bends too wide. Add to this cars driven by people who assume there is nothing ahead round the corner (I cycle this road a lot) and there is a serious accident waiting to happen. The 'Quiet Lane' effect might be the answer if anyone knew what it meant (or even cared - forgive my cynicism).
I am afraid this is all a very far cry from the conditions I have just experienced driving through all four countries of Scandinavia, and especially Copenhagen city centre, where NONE of this provision or these alternatives would be REMOTELY acceptable in terms of cyclist/pedestrian/child-safety in their current forms. Go and see for yourselves!
Jeff Teasdale
114 Prestbury Road
Macclesfield
SK10 3BN

Are these the only routes being considered? The length of the diversion for the yellow route is excessive in my opinion - and could cause confusion at the point where it rejoins the route near Marton unless particularly well signposted. How about a route which heads further North to avoid the obstruction. Instead of turning right at the bottom of Davenport Lane in Mobberley - how about turning left along Burleyhurst Lane towards Morley Green? Then the route could follow Kings Road, Broad Walk, Station Road and Macclesfield Road through Wilmslow - before turning right onto Hough Lane. At the end of Hough Lane, we could follow Alderley Road to Mottram St. Andrew. Oak Road can then take us back onto the Cheshire Cycleway just west of Prestbury. In my opinion, none of these roads are excessively busy - and this avoids a detour of many miles.

No these aren't the only routes - just a couple to start the discussion (or not!).

We'll add the RB route (asap) to the map for ease of view.

I have been looking at alternative routes and consulted with local users. one route i have in mind and will ride with Dale Langham, and Mike Roberts (MaccBug) next week is: Existing rt70 on Newton Hall Lane into Graveyard Lane, then Moss Lane to Paddock Hill and follow to Plough and Flail PH. Along the track through Barlow House farm to Moor Lane to Cumber Lane and Gravel Drive. Then B5086 Knutsford Road to B5085 Brook Lane into Alderley Edge. Cross the A34 into Davey Lane (either on road, busy but slow or standstill in rush hour or use pavemwnt and Puffin Crossing. Then follow to Moss Road and either to Richards Route Hough Lane to Mottramm Road and Mottram St Andrew; Or Along Trafford Road to B5087 and to the existing Rt70 at top of Artists Lane. Both routes are shorter than existing route, the final section following Richards section to Mottram avoids a long stretch of B5087 and the steep hill. Although the B5087 is busy, the extra distance on this road is in a 30mph limit and the carriageway is wider. we will get back with comments.

There is problem with the Dave Reeves suggested alternative route. The A5085, Brook Lane goes though the by-pass route, so will be closed at some point.

I feel that the route should be brought close to a conurbation such as Wilmslow/Aldeley Edge in order to make it accessibile to the potential users (without them sticking bikes on the roof rack and driving for 15 miles). Therefore I would not want to see the red or yellow options adopted. Richard's option has potnetial whils Dave's looked great until the issue on Brook Lane was pointed out. I will have a ponder and suggest any other options I can think of.

There's one other slight issue with Dave Reeves' route - the farm track between the Plough and Flail and Moor Lane only has "public footpath" status - so despite its use by cyclists - technically it's not allowed. In my opinion, there are definitely merits to converting to a bridleway - or restricted byway - but until that is done, we can't run a cycle route along it.