Crossing the mersey

steve_pushbiker

Hello, my question is what is the best way/safest way to cross the mersey? I tried to commute last week from Frodsham to Liverpool. Went over the Runcorn bridge (on the road) on the way out and footpath of the bridge on the way back. Cycling over the bridge, even early in the morning, was a bit hair raising. Plus, I couldn't see a way to get to the footpath on the trip going out... Does anybody do a similar commute and can give me some advice?

patchy

Have you tried ferry?

redddraggon

I don't think there's any other routes except Runcorn bridge - unless you cross the river at Warrington or get the train/ferry to Liverpool from Birkenhead or similar.

steve_pushbiker

Thanks guys. I think ferry or train would add too much time/cost. Crossing at Warrington would add quite a bit of mileage (it was already 19.2 miles one way via Runcorn).

So Runcorn Bridge it is then. Any ideas on reducing the fear factor or finding the path are very welcome!

dondare

On the banks of the Mersey, over on Cheshire side,
Lies Runcorn, that's best known to fame
By Transporter Bridge as tak's folks over its stream,
Or else brings 'em back across same.

In days afore Transporter Bridge were put up,
A Ferry Boat lay in the slip,
And old Ted the Boatman would row folks across
At tuppence per person per trip.

Now Runcorn lay over on one side of stream,
And Widnes on t'other side stood,
And as nobody wanted to go either place -
Well, the trade wasn't any too good.

One ev'ning, to Ted's superlative surprise,
Three customers came into view -
A Mister and Missus Ramsbottom it were,
And Albert, their little son, too.

'Ow much for the three?' Mister Ramsbottom asked,
As 'is 'and to 'is pocket did dip.
Ted said 'Same for three as it would be for one:
Per tuppence per person per trip.'

'Y'not charging tuppence for that little lad?'
Said Mother, her eyes flashing wild.
'Per tuppence per person per trip,' answered Ted,
'Per woman, per man, or per child.'

'Fivepence for three, that's the most that I'll pay,'
Said Father, 'Don't waste time in t'talk.'
'Per tuppence per person per trip,' answered Ted,
'And them as can't pay 'as to walk.'

'We can walk an' all,' said Father.
'Come, Mother, it's none so deep, t'weather's quite mild.'
So into the water the three of them stepped -
The father, the mother, the child.

The further they paddled the deeper it got,
But they wouldn't give in once t'begun;
In the spirit that's made Lancashire what it is,
They'd sooner be drownded than done.

Very soon the old people were up to their necks
And the little lad clean out of sight.
Said Father, 'Where's Albert?' and Mother replied,
'I've got 'old of 'is 'and, 'e's all right.'

'Twere just at that moment Pa got an idea,
And floundering back to old Ted,
'E said, 'We've walked that way -
Come, tak' us the rest for half-price, that's a penny a head.

But Ted wasn't standing for none o' that there,
And making an obstinate lip,
'Per tuppence per person per trip,' Ted replied,
'Per trip or per part of per trip.'

'All right then,' says Father,
'Let me tak' the boat and I'll pick up the others half-way,
I'll row them across and I'll bring the boat back
And thrupence in t'bargain I'll pay.'

'Twere money for nothing. Ted answered 'Right-o,'
And Father got 'old of the sculls.
With the sharp end o' boat t'wards middle of stream
'E were there in a couple of pulls.

'E got Mother out - it were rather a job -
With the water she weighed half a ton;
Then, pushing the oar down the side of the boat,
Started fishing around for his son.

When poor little Albert came up to the top
'Is collar was soggy and limp,
And with 'olding 'is breath at the bottom so long
'Is face were as red as a shrimp.

Pa took them across and 'e brought the boat back,
And 'e said to old Ted on the slip,
'Wilt row me across by myself?'
Ted said 'Aye! at per tuppence per person per trip.'

When they got t'other side Father laughed fit to bust,
'E'd got best of bargain, y'see,
'E'd worked it all out and 'e'd got 'is own way and
'E'd paid nobbut fivepence for three.

steve_pushbiker

Haven't seen Ted around recently. I also don't have a Bike/Boat combo akin to the car/submarine used by James Bond in Spy Who Loved Me.

mr_hippo

From Frodsham , A56 then left onto A557 (Runcorn). At the second M56 roundabout - first left takes you up Clifton Road but just past that turnoff is a cycle path that runs parallel to the expressway and will take you to the bus depot at Beechwood. Turn left and you will go along Cliftom Road and Moughland Lane. There is a war memorial at the end, turn right into Greenway Road. Follow Greenway Road until you come to the road that leads to Runcorn town centre from the widnes side of the bridge - cross the road there and that is the bridge cycle path.
I have not cycled over the bridge for years but I don't think the footpath continues to the big roundabout at the bottom so just after you cross the bridge look for a bus stop and a break in the fence go through and get to the end of the road and turn left onto Mersey Road then right into Waterloo Road and this will bring you to the lights on Ashley Way and turn left, it will bring you to the roundabout at the start of the bridge.
From the roundabout, you have two choices - take the second left through Halebank, Hale and Speke Airport on third left onto the busier Route 7.

steve_pushbiker

Thank you Mr Hippo!!

Last week I missed the cycle path to Bus Depot/Clifton Road (but I know where you mean), went via road to Central Expressway/Spur Road, then over the bridge, then went as you suggest via Halebank/Halewood. Then Menlove Ave./Smithdown.

I'll give the route you suggest a bash tomorrow.

mr_hippo

As an alternative to the Halebank route, try:- from the big roundabout, go all the way round and take the exit just before McDonald's and this will take you past the Widnes RLFC ground then at the main lights (Junction of Lowerhouse Lane/Liverpool Road) turn left and that road will take you the country route through Hough Green, Tarbock, Netherley and onto Childwall Fiveways and then through Wavertree.
You could also take the road towards Halebank and then turn right onto St MIchael's Road (There was a truck sales yard there}, cross over the staggered lights at the top onto Ditchfield Road and turn left at the top at Hough Green Station and then through Tarbock, etc.

steve_pushbiker

Thanks again for the info Mr Hippo. I went via the bridge (on the cycle path) and then through Halewood this morning. It took bang on one hour. Will try going home via Netherley tonight.

This forum is a wonderful thing!

mr_hippo

Coming back via Netherley - from Childwall Fiveways, there's a bit of a rise and then a nice downhill bit but it is spoilt by traffic lights about a third of the way down. After taking the left-hander past the Netherley estate, turn right about 300 yds (sign sometimes obscured). After Hough Green station, take first right into Ditchfield Road and at the end of Ditchfield go straight at the staggered Junction and that will take you down to Ditton Road and the bridge.