Exploring the Past on Bicycle Saddles: Resurrection of The McClean Way Trail
In the heart of Walsall, West Midlands, a vibrant and picturesque greenway has emerged, thanks to a series of community planting sessions and collaborative efforts from local schools and volunteers. The McClean Way, once part of the South Staffordshire Railway network, has been transformed into a beautiful route that opens up nature and improves connections for schools, benefiting residents and visitors for years to come.
The McClean Way, named after railway engineer and pioneer John McClean, has a fascinating history. However, detailed information about John McClean remains elusive. To uncover more about this enigmatic figure, one could start by contacting local historical societies or archives in Walsall, reaching out to railway museums or libraries, or using online genealogy platforms.
The recent improvements on the McClean Way have been made possible with a substantial investment of approximately £1.75 million from National Highways and Active Travel England. The upgraded McClean Way now boasts a three-metre-wide sealed surface off-road track extending approximately 1.3km from Station Road to Ryders Hayse Park. The project has been a collaborative effort between local volunteer groups like Back The Track and the UK National Cycle Network.
Tim Kitchen from Back The Track has praised the McClean Way as a fantastic community resource available to all ages and abilities, offering a safe and secure off-road route for work, school, and leisure purposes. The upgraded McClean Way now provides a safe, scenic, and sustainable travel option, giving people an alternative to road-based journeys while enjoying a healthier, greener environment.
A special ribbon-cutting event was held to celebrate the completion of these major improvement works. West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner, Beccy Marston, stated that the McClean Way provides a safe space for people to build up confidence to enjoy the outdoors, particularly for families. The UK National Cycle Network Director, Carole Patrick, commented on the opening, stating that the McClean Way has significant heritage value and has become a cherished green space.
As custodians of the National Cycle Network, the UK National Cycle Network is dependent on the support of others to make improvements to this vital infrastructure. The McClean Way now acts as a wildlife corridor where various flora and fauna can be encountered daily. Enhancements include new benches for weary legs and cycle parking.
The opening of the McClean Way marks a significant milestone in the UK National Cycle Network's vision to make it easier to walk, wheel, and cycle right across the National Cycle Network. The network has been carrying out multiple projects across the country to achieve this. As Principal advisor for Active Travel at National Highways, Alistair Ryder, stated, the McClean Way is in line with their commitment to encourage healthy and sustainable travel.
The transformation of the McClean Way is not the end of the journey. The vision is to create a continuous, safe, and direct off-road route of approximately 4.7km between Pelsall and Brownhills, with further connections into Lichfield. Subject to funding, this expansion would significantly enhance connectivity for residents across the region.
[1] Midland Railway Study Centre: https://www.midlandrailwaycentre.org.uk/
- The upgraded McClean Way, a cherished green space and a vital part of the UK National Cycle Network, not only offers a safe and scenic off-road route for various outdoor activities such as cycling and walking, but also serves as an excellent location for enjoying home-and-garden-like settings along the route, enriching the local lifestyle with a touch of outdoor-living.
- The aim of expanding the McClean Way to connect Pelsall and Brownhills, along with further connections into Lichfield, is not only about enhancing physical travel connections for residents across the region, but also about fostering a more active lifestyle through sports and outdoor-living, contributing to a healthier, greener, and more connected community.
