Redway Ramblings
OK the other stuff here is to prove that I have put in the work and walked the Redways. This is my rants, observations and musings on this unique network of pathways.
Redways- The official guides will tell you that they are all red and supposedly 3 meters wide. Paradoxically many other paths in MK are red but not all Redways and it appears to be those that are closet to major roads that are in places as narrow as around 1 meter. This is not only potentially hazardous but also rather confusing when combined with signage or lack of it.
Generally the redways are in fairly good condition for walking, although I have come across a few areas where they would be an issue for a fast moving bike and there are a few major repairs needed around bridges especially. As a walker for me it is more the state of some of the underpasses, the amount of litter and extent to which trees have over grown that are more concerning.
Signage – If you thought it was confusing driving round MK because all of the roundabouts look the same, I swear that the Redways are worse, there are very few distinguishing land marks, no path names and in places a distinct lack of signs Even when present they are often moved to point the wrong way, illegible due to vandals or sheer old age, or removed all together. If there was one thing that would make the Redways more user friendly it would be to improve the signage. In places this has started to happen with routes to school being indicated actually on the path. Also there are no distances on what signage there is so it is difficult to tell if it is a long or short walk.
Interestingly I think the most signposted places are: Stony Stratford, Bletchey and City Centre (although shouldn’t that be Town Centre?)
There are a number of arrows in various colours that I think probably indicate cycle routes, but I have only surmised this due to their apparent location on the numbered cycle routes. Any one with the answer please let me know!
Finally the one that really made me laugh was the sustrans sign, very decorative and informative, but positioned off of the cycle route so you would have difficulty in seeing it whilst cycling past!
Bikes – the Redways are fairly well used by cyclists, however I do wish that they would make some sort of a noise as they approach. I deliberately don’t listen to music whilst walking so that I can try to hear you coming, but against the sound of traffic it can be very difficult to hear you approaching from behind. Lord knows some of you have squeaky bikes but for those that don’t I prefer not to jump out of my skin as you wiz past!
Litter - I don’t think I have passed a single litter bin on the Redways so far and only a very occasional one just off of them, could this be why there is so much litter around on the redways? Certainly Im not best pleased at having to carry bags of dog poo several miles in some instances to dispose of them and presumably the fact that the areas with least dog bins also appear to be those with most dog mess would indicate that Im not the only one who does not enjoy this. So presumably the same goes for litter.
Wildlife – Rabbits I can live with but there do appear to be a huge number of rats in some areas, to see them running around in broad daylight usually indicates a large population, presumably feeding off of the litter. It does make my day to pass by a bit of unmanaged ground and see the vast numbers of butterflies that clearly appreciate it not being kept too tidy. There have been news articles this week about Wallaby’s living in MK, I have not seen any in MK yet but could quite believe that they are there. There is certainly no shortage of food or hiding spaces for them.
Underpasses – I have come across one or two that have been rather uninviting, this is normally due to the state of cleanliness and surrounding over grown vegetation, the main ‘junction’ by the A5 at Denbigh appears to fairly well used but I found to be over grown and poorly signposted, making it somewhere that I was keen to hurry through. As for groups of young people ‘hanging out’ yes they clearly do but those I have come across have been fine and are far more prevalent in the ‘middle class’ areas, together with the piles empty beer cans than anywhere else. Not sure if this is because the less well of young people cannot afford the beer or they are allowed to drink at home?
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