Where was Red Squirrel 18/8/2020

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

Expecting this one to go quickly...

[Lee]

Taunton (Always wanted to do that  )

[Red Squirrel]

Taunton (Always wanted to do that  )

Very good.

No!

[Bmblbzzz]

On the Wye just north of Monmouth.

[Bmblbzzz]

And whether that's right or wrong, it looks as if that member of the Squirrel dray must have been thankful for their suspension forks.

[Red Squirrel]

On the Wye just north of Monmouth.

Yes, just north of Monmouth Troy.

 A really interesting area, railways-wise. This is the Ross and Monmouth Railway, between Troy (or is it Winchcombe? So confusing) and May Hill. The Wye Valley Railway had its own bridge, on the left in this photo. It would require a good ramp and a long run-up to cross that now.



Someone with better skills than us might have managed to cycle across: speed and confidence would be required, as well as good suspension. There is a strong probability of a rapid halt followed by an OTB incident.

The cast iron bridge is looking worryingly decrepit, and much of the parapet of the stone viaduct has gone.

[onthecushions]

That looks like the same type of bridge deck as the old Liverpool Overhead (elevated) Railway. That succumbed to the salt laden sea air and the sulphurous exhaust of the PUG saddle tanks trundling along underneath it.

OTC

[Bmblbzzz]

On the Wye just north of Monmouth.

Yes, just north of Monmouth Troy.

I have to confess that's actually not quite where I had in mind. Still, that makes up for Johnnyw's recent photo of Ram Hill, where I knew exactly the spot but somehow typed Iron Acton while meaning Coalpit Heath!

Wonderful photo btw. The stone viaduct is really acquiring that romantic ruin look beloved of 18th century poets. 

[Red Squirrel]

...The stone viaduct is really acquiring that romantic ruin look beloved of 18th century poets. 

It is rather. Here's another view, from closer to Troy:



Zooming in reveals that it may not be long for this world:

[Red Squirrel]

All quite nicely summed up in this film. No apologies if I've posted this before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmtBqZeOdK0

[johnneyw]

Nowadays, with developments like the Staycation Express, I can't help thinking that the Wye Valley lines would have been a cracking tourist railway route.  I think the lines even covered Symonds Yat way.

[Red Squirrel]

Indeed. You'd have had to change at Troy for the Ross & Monmouth to Symonds Yat. There's a trail (largely following the R&M) which I'm told you can ride there from Monmouth (May Hill); maybe next time!

There are a few cyclable railway lines in the Forest of Dean too of course, and the new link through Tidenham tunnel will make things a lot better (when it opens) cutting out a Cat 4 climb from Tintern to St Arvans.

[johnneyw]

the new link through Tidenham tunnel will make things a lot better (when it opens) cutting out a Cat 4 climb from Tintern to St Arvans.

Blimey, is that actually happening? Would there cycle/walking route link to Chepstow too?

[Bmblbzzz]

I've ridden that trail from Monmouth to Symonds Yat a few times. It's a lovely ride, can get a bit muddy but you don't need a mountain bike. I know someone who was in such a hurry, he preferred to ride along the hard shoulder of the A40 instead. Well, his choice... Ride south to north, you then have the option of riding up Symonds Yat! (which to be honest is merely hard work, whereas riding down SY can be quite... testing... )

[Red Squirrel]

the new link through Tidenham tunnel will make things a lot better (when it opens) cutting out a Cat 4 climb from Tintern to St Arvans.

Blimey, is that actually happening? Would there cycle/walking route link to Chepstow too?

Working parties are active, but as far as I can see (Forest of Dean P1735/19/FUL) it's awaiting the planners' decision: https://www.ndac.co.uk/blog/tag/tidenham-tunnel/

Edit: The planning request is just the section from NDAC to Wyedean School: https://greenwaysandcycleroutes.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/chepstow-19-11-03-planning-application-document-to-wyedean-school.pdf

The route from Chepstow will initially involve going up the steep path from the foot of Castleford Hill; once the Dean Forest Railway have retrieved the track it will be possible to improve this, but it really needs a bridge at about the same level as the A48 (which doesn't really accommodate cyclists) and railway (which definitely doesn't).

Edit: This says permission has been granted for the main path: https://greenwaysandcycleroutes.org/wye-valley-greenway/