Paul Brown’s walk – New Moss Wood

Walk leader :  Dave H

Grading of walk :  Easy

Walk details :  In memory of Paul Brown, a long-time member of OoS who passed away in August 2023, I will be leading a short circular walk, stopping off at New Moss Wood where Paul’s ashes have recently been scattered. It will be a chance for us to remember Paul and enjoy some beautiful and surprising countryside in Salford.

This is an easy, flat 4-mile, circular walk through Salford farmland, including New Moss Wood and Little Woolden Moss. The area is part of Great Manchester Wetlands – containing a variety of habitats, such as water, fen, wet grassland, wet woodland and lowland raised bog. The Wetlands is a diverse landscape designated as a Nature Improvement Area stretching over 48,000 hectares and this wider incredible landscape encompasses the wetlands of Wigan, the Mosslands in Salford and Warrington and the Mersey Wetlands corridor stretching from Rixton to the Manchester Ship Canal. We’ll get to experience a small part of the wetlands on our walk. See: Carbon Landscape for more info.

The walk, which begins at Irlam Train Station, is a combination of residential and road walking, woodland grassy paths and gravel paths which can be uneven in places. There are no stiles to negotiate but there are couple of long stretches of road walking but with lovely farm land views. As this is a wetland area, there is a chance some areas maybe wet/boggy after heavy rain – so boots or sturdy footwear recommended.

Please bring a picnic lunch – we’ll stop off at the woods for our lunch. Apart from the station café, there are no shops on the walk route. Also bring a blanket or mat to sit on – there are only a few isolated benches.

There is a lovely café: The Station Irlam  on the station platform which I recommend. There is a lot of old railway memorabilia, including a steam train and old railway signal box, signage etc which is worth a look either before the walk or possibly afterwards. As the café is also licensed for drinks up to 5pm, we’ll stop here for a drink/rest at the end of the walk. (Food service only till 4pm on Sundays).

Risk assessment :  A risk assessment was carried out 09/08/2024. A summary of identified risks is below:

This is an easy flat walk along residential roads, woodland and wetland areas. Sturdy shoes or walking boots recommended as some paths/roads are uneven. Also waterproof clothing in case of rain as there is very little in the way of cover from rain on the route.

There is quite a bit of road walking along poorly surfaced, dusty roads with no pavements – so we need to be wary of infrequent road traffic – possibly walking in single file in parts.

If you are susceptible to insect bites and nettle stings, I suggest wearing long trousers and long sleeved clothing. New Moss Wood is a boggy woodland with lots of insects.

There are no farm livestock on the walk route but there maybe horses using the same paths we’ll be using so dog owners will need to be wary.

Start time and meeting point :  Meet at Irlam Train Station – by the old steam train in the car park – at 12.30pm. Irlam train station is located on Station Road, Irlam, Manchester M44 5AB. This is just off Liverpool Road (B5320) and not far from the A57 – Cadishead Way.

Directions to the start :  Take the M602 from Mcr and then A57 – Cadishead Way. The journey is about 25 mins from city centre Mcr by car.

Parking:  Limited parking is available at the station (there are currently building works taking place at the station which has taken over some of the car park) but I noticed lots of signs saying that parking is for rail passengers only. I would therefore suggest parking in the nearby residential streets (eg Cromwell Road) – being careful not to block residents driveways etc.

what/three/words :  ///roadblock.soups.pets

Public transport :  As we’ll be starting from the Irlam train station – I suggest getting to the walk by train if possible. Trains depart from Mcr Oxford Road station at 11.46am – arriving at 12.02pm. Or if you want to have breakfast or longer at the station before the walk – there is an earlier train departing at 10.43am. Return trains at 4.15pm and 5.15pm. Return full fare approx. £7. (The café is open from 9am)

Contact number on the day :

Booking : Book your walk here

Changes and cancellation :  Very occasionally, due to severe weather or another serious event, a walk may be cancelled. In these instances, a note will be added to the website at least TWO HOURS before the start time. So, do check the website before you set out, and if in doubt use the walk leader’s mobile contact number. Every effort will be made to contact you should a walk be cancelled.