runcorn bridge safe-ish route

[400bhp]

Hi, going to cycle back from liverpool tomorrow. I am looking at avoiding warrington and seeing if i can go via runcorn bridge.

Does anyone know the best way to get across safetly and then a reasonable route from there to lymm?

Im on a road bike.

The area really is pants for road cycling.

 

[Sharky]

Used to ride over the bridge a lot in my youth, the gateway to Frodsham and North Wales. Also remember my dad taking us over on the Car Transporter!

The was a few posts about the bridge last year. Have a search for Runcorn silver jubilee bridge.

Cheers keith

 

[Servicemycycle]

Hi I ride over the footpath every other day, The lanes on the bridge are too narrow and there are too many people in a rush to bother risking it

 

[400bhp]

Hi I ride over the footpath every other day, The lanes on the bridge are too narrow and there are too many people in a rush to bother risking it

Thanks for this. How do you get off the bridge and where do you end up?

 

[dodgy]

Technically, the footpath is strictly for pedestrians, you're not allowed to cycle on it, I know, I was shocked to find that the authorities would rather you mix with the fast traffic on the bridge! (unless the rules have changed?)

Strava Heatmap is occasionally useful, and here it is centred on the bridge. From this you can take a view of the best routes on to and off the bridge, together with local routes that have become popular.
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#15/-2.73663/53.34416/yellow/bike

 

[PaulBrdmn]

Technically, the footpath is strictly for pedestrians, you're not allowed to cycle on it, I know, I was shocked to find that the authorities would rather you mix with the fast traffic on the bridge! (unless the rules have changed?)

I think (not 100%) that the sign on the footpath is the blue and white advisory "CYCLISTS DISMOUNT" rather than something you must do. Cycling across it is the norm anyway from what I see.

After that, I guess the best route would be through the town centre and into Astmoor and Manor Park and up through Daresbury, maybe via Sandymoor (Keckwick Lane)? Someone more experienced with Runcorn might be able to help.

Astmoor and Manor Park will be fairly quiet from my experience but the roundabout on the Daresbury expressyway (Evenwood Farm) is a bit hair raising, as is the expressway itself.

EDIT: Just to add; to get to Astmoor I'd come off at the first exit and keep left towards the town centre then take a right onto High St to meet back up with the A533 at Victoria Rd. You can then get on and straight back down the slip road (I.e. keep left) of the expressway for Astmoor Road. That would cut a busy chunk out.

 

[dodgy]

At least from 2017 when the new Mersey Gateway opens, there'll be dedicated bike paths on the old Runcorn Bridge...They say.