National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

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Jim606
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National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Jim606 »

I reckon the most famous crossing point for a National Trail/Long Distance Path must be the Pennine Way bridge across the M62... The question is what about some of the others? I know a proposed green bridge is being designed to take 'The Cotswolds Way' over the A417. Anymore for anymore?
http://happypontist.blogspot.com/2014/0 ... e-way.html
M62 Pennine Way bridge photo c/o happypontist as above
M62 Pennine Way bridge photo c/o happypontist as above
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KeithW
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by KeithW »

In the Cambridge Area there the cycle bridges at Swavesey and Milton
Swavesey
https://www.cyclestreets.net/location/114058/

Milton
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5972218
swissferry
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by swissferry »

I think all the major road crossings I've came across on long distance paths in Scotland have used bridges that predate the long distance path, cross at grade or have added a path under a bridge beside a river or canal etc.

Not a major route - but an at grade crossing over a busy road where I would have liked a pedestrian crossing due to the constant stream of traffic in both directions, poor sight lines and traffic travelling in excess of the 40 limit on the Clyde Walkway.

Another awkward one is on the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath due to the proximity of a busy mini roundabout.

At the Stockingfield Junction of the canal there is a bridge being built which will save pedestrians using the narrow pavement or experiencing the wrath of drivers who think they have no right to walk on the road.
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multiraider2
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by multiraider2 »

The Dartmoor Way in the vacinity of Okehampton has to cross the A30, the East Okement River and the now re-opened rail line to Okehampton in quick succession (yes I know it was open to the Meldon Quarry previously anyway). It does this though by going under the A30 and the rail line. The shot crossing the river and going under the viaduct is here. So nothing to be seen from the A30 itself.

The South Downs Way has to cross the A31 and M3 in quick succession. Here and here is where is does so. On the same bridge.
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Vierwielen
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Vierwielen »

The South Downs Way also has to cross (or go under) the A3. It does so using the access road for the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. See here
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by roadphotos »

I think the worst one is the Peddars Way crossing at the A11. There's no bridge or underpass at a fast section of dual carriageway.
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Leaferclove »

The split-level M5 in the Gordano valley has the Gordano Round cross it 3 times, twice over bridges.

This one which I haven't walked: https://goo.gl/maps/EyJoJxeH6wwkPwpx7

And this one, which I have! Excellent views from here: https://goo.gl/maps/ukNw322VFYtYPkP37
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Big Nick
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Big Nick »

This here is a great place to cross the M6 as you walk the Coast to Coast: https://goo.gl/maps/3x6MNiQscvreM8wJA

But who would like to try crossing the A19 here in the rush hour with a heavy backpack after a long days hiking? :yikes: :shock:
https://goo.gl/maps/JDAooiDT2UYUawoy8

This is where the Pennine Way crosses the A66. Cracking views but good luck hopping that barrier when it's busy. https://goo.gl/maps/6XeLk71LefESWTTp7
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trickstat
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by trickstat »

Big Nick wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 01:11 This here is a great place to cross the M6 as you walk the Coast to Coast: https://goo.gl/maps/3x6MNiQscvreM8wJA

But who would like to try crossing the A19 here in the rush hour with a heavy backpack after a long days hiking? :yikes: :shock:
https://goo.gl/maps/JDAooiDT2UYUawoy8

This is where the Pennine Way crosses the A66. Cracking views but good luck hopping that barrier when it's busy. https://goo.gl/maps/6XeLk71LefESWTTp7
For those who'd prefer to cross the A66 by bridge, there is a detour via the Bowes Loop. Also used, I assume, by those using Bowes for an overnight stay:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.51766 ... 312!8i6656
Last edited by trickstat on Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:49, edited 1 time in total.
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Jim606
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Jim606 »

The A417 missing link scheme seems to set to better standards for National Trail crossings. My mistake, the green bridge is actually for the Gloucestershire Way and the Cotswolds Way has a separate (specially designed) bridge.
Attachments
Cotswolds Way proposed bridge over A417
Cotswolds Way proposed bridge over A417
Gloucestershire Way proposed green bridge over A417. Images c/o National Highways
Gloucestershire Way proposed green bridge over A417. Images c/o National Highways
Gloucestershire way proposed green bridge over A417
Gloucestershire way proposed green bridge over A417
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Jim606
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Jim606 »

This is where the Pennine Way crosses the A66. Cracking views but good luck hopping that barrier when it's busy. https://goo.gl/maps/6XeLk71LefESWTTp7
I found this website looking at the Pennine Way crossing the A66 www.getlostmountaineering.co.uk/walks.php?id=1073 The way itself seems to cross the road directly, however, there is a underpass a little way along...
Pennine Way crossing the A66 images c/o www.getlostmountaineering.co.uk
Pennine Way crossing the A66 images c/o www.getlostmountaineering.co.uk
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nick_dunn
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by nick_dunn »

Last September I finally completed one of the longest paths of all - the South West Coast Path at 630 miles, after 15 years of the odd weekend away walking. Oddly enough (or maybe not), despite its length it barely crosses any major roads at all - clinging to the coast for most of its route. The only major crossings I can think of occurred on the same day in May 2007 when we walked under the A361 bridge at Barnstaple - less than a week before it opened to traffic. Later we walked under the A39 twice as it crossed the Torridge at Bideford. The path did lead past some major road endings such as the A30 at Land's End and the A39 in Falmouth. We sometimes walked along major roads briefly in towns without crossing. There is an at-grade crossing of the A354 at Ferry Bridge near Weymouth but that's only for walkers who cheat and miss out the Isle of Portland!
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Rob590 »

Jim606 wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:52
This is where the Pennine Way crosses the A66. Cracking views but good luck hopping that barrier when it's busy. https://goo.gl/maps/6XeLk71LefESWTTp7
I found this website looking at the Pennine Way crossing the A66 www.getlostmountaineering.co.uk/walks.php?id=1073 The way itself seems to cross the road directly, however, there is a underpass a little way along...
A66 Pennine Way crossing.jpg
As the map below shows, the Pennine Way is routed through the subway.
PWA66.JPG
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Scratchwood »

The Ridgeway crosses the A41 east of Tring using this bridge. This section of the A41 was built in the 90s

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.79073,- ... 384!8i8192

Image
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3049700
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Scratchwood »

The London LOOP (a TfL orbital path around London) crosses the A12 near Harold Wood. The official advice is to divert to the nearest traffic lights, but I imagine most walkers cross here as the road can safely be crossed in two stages

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.600259, ... 384!8i8192
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by mikehindsonevans »

Jim606 wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 15:36 I reckon the most famous crossing point for a National Trail/Long Distance Path must be the Pennine Way bridge across the M62... The question is what about some of the others? I know a proposed green bridge is being designed to take 'The Cotswolds Way' over the A417. Anymore for anymore?
http://happypontist.blogspot.com/2014/0 ... e-way.html
Pennine4.jpg
The Pennine Way M62 overbridge opened after the motorway opened. Fortunately, motorway traffic levels were FAR lower in those early far-off days.
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by FosseWay »

trickstat wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:34
Big Nick wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 01:11 This here is a great place to cross the M6 as you walk the Coast to Coast: https://goo.gl/maps/3x6MNiQscvreM8wJA

But who would like to try crossing the A19 here in the rush hour with a heavy backpack after a long days hiking? :yikes: :shock:
https://goo.gl/maps/JDAooiDT2UYUawoy8

This is where the Pennine Way crosses the A66. Cracking views but good luck hopping that barrier when it's busy. https://goo.gl/maps/6XeLk71LefESWTTp7
For those who'd prefer to cross the A66 by bridge, there is a detour via the Bowes Loop. Also used, I assume, by those using Bowes for an overnight stay:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.51766 ... 312!8i6656
That explains why I don't remember that A66 crossing - I stayed in Bowes when I walked the Pennine Way.
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by FosseWay »

mikehindsonevans wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 23:24
Jim606 wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 15:36 I reckon the most famous crossing point for a National Trail/Long Distance Path must be the Pennine Way bridge across the M62... The question is what about some of the others? I know a proposed green bridge is being designed to take 'The Cotswolds Way' over the A417. Anymore for anymore?
http://happypontist.blogspot.com/2014/0 ... e-way.html
Pennine4.jpg
The Pennine Way M62 overbridge opened after the motorway opened. Fortunately, motorway traffic levels were FAR lower in those early far-off days.
Are you saying that originally walkers had to cross the carriageway? :shock:

Traffic levels may have been lower back then, but the prohibition on pedestrians on motorways was alive and well...
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Jim606
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by Jim606 »

Scratchwood wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 17:59 The Ridgeway crosses the A41 east of Tring using this bridge. This section of the A41 was built in the 90s

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.79073,- ... 384!8i8192

Image
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3049700
This is the same design as the Pennine Way bridge, I wonder if it was the same architectural firm or just a standard design pattern?
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Re: National Trails/Long Distance Paths major road crossing points

Post by jnty »

Can I have the Fife Coastal Path? :D
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