Its been a long wait for local residents but the opening of the Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley bypass is now insight. To mark the occasion representatives from Nether Alderley Parish Council, Alderley Edge Rotary Club, Wilmslow Running Club and the Combined Charities Christmas Shops have come together to provide us with the opportunity to run, or walk, the bypass on Sunday October 24th - before it is open to traffic.
Having been contacted by numerous parties, Birse Civils and Cheshire East Council have kindly granted permission and are 100% behind the bypass run which is being organised to support local charities and good causes.
Given the level of interest in organising an event, Birse approached Alan Clarke, from Nether Alderley Parish Council, to coordinate it and he has been joined on the organising committee by Andrew Henshall from Alderley Edge Rotary Club and Malcolm Fowler from the Wilmslow Running Club, who organises the Wilmslow Half Marathon, Amy Willis from Seashell Trust and Sheila Hallas who raises so much money for charity via the Combined Charity Christmas Card Shops each year.
Malcolm Fowler explained "I thought it would be excellent if we could organise a charity race for all standards of runners along the bypass before it opened to traffic. The opening of the bypass is a once in a lifetime occurrence for Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley and an ideal chance to put on a local event that would raise money for charity."
The day will start with a 5 mile running race at 9.30am for the more energetic members of the community. This will be an 'out and back' course along the bypass, starting at the southern end and run under UK Athletics rules with a limit of 500 runners.
Then for those that prefer a more leisurely approach, starting from 11am at either end, there will be the opportunity for people to walk the 3 miles bypass - either by just walking in one direction or walking out and back (6 miles). Three shuttle buses have been organised which will drive continually along the old A34 from the Harden Park roundabout to the southern Nether Alderley roundabout ferrying those who only want to walk the bypass in one direction. These will run from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Malcolm added "To raise money from the bypass walk we are encouraging charities and local schools to recruit their own volunteers and supply them with sponsorship forms so that the walkers themselves collect their own sponsorship money and forward it to their own favourite charity. We envisage this is the way that most of the money will be raised. We will however be asking each walker to make a £2 donation, £5 for families, as they enter the road. The cost to enter the road race will be £10 per runner.
"It is intended that the money raised will be distributed amongst charities and good causes in the Alderley Edge, Nether Alderley and surrounding areas."
Wilmslow Running Club, Alderley Edge Rotary Club and Nether Alderley Parish Council have all said that they don't want any money for organising the event and are doing so on a voluntary basis.
Alan Clarke added "We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather. We have waited such a long time for this bypass and I am sure it is going to improve a lot of people's lives so come along and see the new road at the first opportunity."
Numbers are limited so early entry is recommended for the race. Click here to download an entry form or you can enter online at www.ukresults.net or www.race-results.co.uk.
For those that would prefer to walk the bypass rather than run, please click here to download a sponsorship form or download further information.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The answer to your question is lurking on the helpful download with more info on the walk:- "Prams and push chairs can be taken on the road but no bicycles or tricycles are allowed on". I guess horses are out of this one as well so we will keep ours home though he can see the bypass from his stable!
I think I might just have a go at the five mile run. Being out of shape, and with not the best knees post surgery, it will seem like a marathon! A reason to shed a few pounds and see the bypass first hand, step by painful step! So training starts tomorrow, yeah, that's right ;) Goodbye crisps, goodbye Peroni, Goodbye Barolo, Goodbye Pinot Grigio, Goodbye a pint of Storm best bitter at the Alderley Edge Cricket Club. A few simple sacrifices, It just has to be done!
See you walking or running folks, a not to be missed event..
A spokesperson told me; "The bypass will hopefully be opened in November, we can't set a date as we still have to take into account the weather and other aspects that may hold things up.
"But we are hopeful!"
We already have around 100 entries and I anticipate the race will be full within a few weeks.
When processing the Wilmslow Half Marathon entries I always find that Wilmslow residents are notoriously slow at getting their entries in and it becomes difficult to find a space for them as the race fills up. With the Bypass race it would be excellent if the majority of runners are from Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley, but you need to get your entries in reasonably soon to guarantee a place.
At the younger end, watch out for some of us from Alderley Edge Hockey Club, some running, some walking, raising funds for the new artificial grass pitch at the Ryleys playing field.
Fund raising over the summer months has gone well but we need to keep digging deep to pay for a superb facility that will be our legacy for the youth in our community for years to come. The pitch must be built! So the sponsor forms are out and we look forward to a super day for all of us in Alderley Edge.
With the Cheshire 'rainy season' in full swing now, will the road be ready for us?
Walkers can start from either end of the bypass anytime from 11am until 3pm. The bypass needs to be clear of walkers by 4pm
Many will celebrate this by ‘running the track and back 'on the 24th October which is a brilliant idea. For a 50-somethings like me, it is a 'dual carriageway' too far and I happen to be at the dentist that day.
However, that said, why doesn’t the village have a community event next year when the road is officially opened in our local park?
Having worked in the chemical industry where civil engineering is so highly respected, I have to commend Birse, who in my opinion, have done a terrific job in communicating progress. Yes, there have been victims to this scheme, not Birse's fault, and yes there were real issues on the Brook Lane footpath. But, their key personnel should be congratulated publically on this. I'm sure Birse would also wish to celebrate and be a major sponsor, along with our local businesses, so that we can celebrate what will be a major event for Alderley Edge.
The last time we had a ‘party in the park’ it was so uplifting and maybe we could get that spirit back?
More than happy to help.
I think Churches Together in Alderley would support such a suggestion to get the community together and celebrating!
As ever, it does need someone to spearhead the intiative...