Wheelock Rail Trail
Sandbach
The Wheelock Rail Trail is a popular 2km traffic free
route for walkers and cyclists on the outskirts of Sandbach
and runs between Ettiley Heath and Malkins
Bank.
The Wheelock Rail Trail was officially opened in
2002 and is part of the National Cycle Network.
The trail is up to 3 metres wide and is a well
surfaced flat trail, with local access points in Wheelock. There is
no official car parking for this facility.
History
After the railway closed in 1966 the track lay derelict for
many years, gradually becoming more and more overgrown. Since
February 2000 the Countryside Management Service have been working
closely with the local community through the Wheelock Rail Trail
Association to develop the track into a multi-user trail.
The whole route has now been upgraded with improved access
points, better surfacing and new information boards to provide
a high quality facility for walkers, cyclists and horse riders
alike. The Trail forms part of Route 5 of the National Cycle
Network, linking Middlewich with Alsager.
The scheme was made possible by a grant of £50,000 awarded to the
project by WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Network) using the
Landfill Tax credits of Waste Recycling Group plc and funding from
the Council's Local Transport Plan budget for the National
Cycle Network.
Activities
For a longer walk why not follow the towpath of
the Trent and Mersey canal to Hassall Green and then join
the Salt Line which provides off road walking and cycling as far as
Alsager.
There is a good network of local routes for walking and cycling.
To print off a circular cycle ride leaflet or walking leaflet
visit Discover
Cheshire where you can print off a recommended circular route
for the area.
Wildlife
The Rail Trail is rich in wildlife. Look for frog spawn amongst
the watercress in the ditches during early spring.Freshwater
Shrimps and Sticklebacks also make their home in the clear
water.Wild Daffodil and Lesser Celendine brighten the banks by the
old station whilst later in the year Red Campion, Foxglove and Dog
Rose flower along the trail. Comfrey and Weld thrive in drier soils
on top of the embankments. Thrushes, Redwing and Fieldfare feast on
hawthorn berries during the winter.
Local Involvement
The Wheelock Rail Trail Association is a local voluntary group
who work closely with the Ranger Service to manage and improve the
Trail for people and wildlife alike. If you would like to find out
more about the association contact the Rangers.
How to get there
Please use one of the direction finders to plan a route from
your start postcode to either the Wheelock Rail trail central
section or the north end. If travelling by car using satellite
navigation, the nearest postcode to the central section is CW11 4QG
and to the north end is CW11 3NQ.
