Tuesday 2 August 2011

Into Nuneaton on a bike

In a previous post I talked about a "reccie" to survey the proposed NCN route between Tamworth and Nuneaton. The route into Nuneaton from Hartshill / Chapel End proved a bit of a headache on the first outing as we battled along major roads. A more detailed look at the Nuneaton Cycling map and some routes posted by Nuneaton CTC (here) suggested there was a better way. So I set off to find out.

This is the proposed route cycling into Nuneaton. From Chapel End it doglegs across the main Coleshill Road (there is a crossing nearby). After the dogleg it picks up Waggestaff Drive (not shown some maps) and uses quiet estate roads to get to Bucks Hill.

Almost opposite is the entry to the off road cycle tracks into Whittleford Park, unfortunately there are 5 or 6 shallow steps to contend with. The (large) kissing gate is not as bad as it first seems. Having read the CTC route description again it looks as though there could be a better entrance a little further up the road - I need to check this out.
There are various tracks through Whittleford Park - I'm not quite sure I chose the right one, but it was very pleasant. There are a few "restrictors" to deal with, but not too bad.
At the exit to the park (by Willow Road) the route joins estate roads towards Nuneaton centre. The proposed route crosses the NCN52 canal section along Vernons Lane, but unfortunately this is only accessible via some steep steps. The canal is however accessible at the next bridge both up and down so I need to check out the links better.
At the end of Fife Street the route crosses a park for a short distance before emerging on Pool Bank Street. A short distance on a shared use path and the route joins the (Roanne) Ringway. A shared use path then goes clockwise around the ringway until you get to Asda rounabout. Here there seems little alternative but to join the main road for the last few hundred yards round to the station.
Coming in the other direction from the station the route needs to be slightly different because of the one way system and has to follow a loop around Regent Street and Back Street. Not great to cycle but there are some shared use pavements and crossings that can be utiled most of the way and it is only a short distance.

So in summary I would say that this is a good route. It is reasonably direct and doesn't have too many crossings. I want to go back and look for a better way in to Whittleford Park and investgate the links to NCN 52. All comments welcome.

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