Walking

NEWBOOKLET SETSOUT ‘RAILLY’ GOOD WALKS

Anew illustrated booklet has been published to help walkers enjoystrolls from certain train stations in the area –including the one in Stone.

Rails to Trails is anew illustrated booklet of ten walks from stations in Staffordshire and Cheshire producedbyNorth Staffs Community Rail Partnership (NSCRP) and fundedbytrain operators CrossCountry and London North Western Railway.

The illustrated routes, which have been created by designer Caroline Dadd of Origin Studios, are designed to encourage people to explore placesofhistoric and environmental interest; and many of the walks also include areas of independent shops and cafes.

The routes take the walker past historic buildings and along the canals of Stoke-onTrent, Stone and Penkridge and through the quaint market towns of Tutbury and Uttoxeter.

Quieter strolls take in the beautiful Bathpool Park at Kidsgrove and Milton Park at Alsager; while Foxfield Railway is lessthan amile from Blythe Bridge Station and offers steam trains and a cafe. All the walks are between one and six miles long, starting and ending at a station, ideal for aday out by rail.

The booklet also features a special dementia friendly walk in Alsager –a short walk through Milton Park and to Alsager Mere. Alsager Station has recently been awarded ‘Working toward Dementia Friendly Status’ by the Alzheimers Society.

Rails to Trails has been compiled by NSCRP, building on ideas supplied by community members; and the booklets are set to be available at the stations soon.

Claire Sandys, Community Rail Officer, said: “There is so much on offer in the communities that are served by our railway stations. “We want people to enjoy travelling by train again and to explore those villages and towns that theymay have previously justpassed through. “We know that walking is good for our physical and mental health and we hope that this collection of walks will inspire people to explore more on foot. “We wouldlove it if they chose the environmentally sound option of traintravel to reach the start point.

“We look forward to offering organised guided walks along selected routes later in the year.”

John Robson, CrossCountry West Midlands and North West Regional Director said: “CrossCountry are proud to be supporting this booklet. “We’ve all discovered a greater appreciation for the great outdoors overthe last year and encouraging people to ditch the car and go by rail means more quality time with loved ones.”

Vicky Cropper-Clarke, Head of Stakeholder and Community, London Northwestern Railway, said” “I am absolutely delightedto have had the opportunity to support such afantastic project which not only supports the railway and local economies, but also encourages people to get out and discover new walks in their surrounding areas. “So much hard work has been put in to preparing the walks which everyone can enjoy and the beautifully illustrated booklet is such a handy companion. “I would wholeheartedly encourage people to pick up a copy of thebooklet and start planning some new walks over the Summer months.”