Derwent Walk Multi User path in Gateshead andCounty Durham

[SteveGray]

My wife and I are regular users of this former railway route between Swalwell and Consett. This now forms part of the C2C to Tynemouth, used by thousands of cyclists each year.

Conditions are deteriorating in some sections, in particular between Linz Green Station and the sign "Rowlands Gill 5" going towards Consett. There are numerous places where deep mud forms the riding surface and this is in summer.

We are aware that the mountain bike brigade, many I have to say, drive all week and go out on bikes at the weekend for fun, tend to ridicule our opinion that ALL cycles should be suitable for a C2C route.

We use E bikes for transport and this route avoids the almost parallel (and mud free) A694, with it's fast traffic, noise and dubious air quality.

If anybody else feels that Durham Council should attend to these problems, please contact the Countyside Service on their web page.

Needless to say, parents with buggies and wheelchair users are also affected.

Thanks for reading.

Steve Gray

[pwa]

I wonder where the mud comes from. Does water flood over the path after heavy rain? Assuming there is still a proper compacted stone chippings path under there, it needs a careful scrape with a digger, then probably some modification to drainage to stop it deteriorating too fast. It certainly needs a good dose of maintenance.

Good luck with your efforts to get some action on this.

[SteveGray]

I think the mud results from a combination of poor drainage and a build up of leaf fall.Over a period of years the leaf fall composts down, becomes wet due to poor drainage and coats the path in a layer of mud. There are obvious depressions in places, where water collects. In some areas the camber is missing.

The science is very simple, the application of it is the problem of course.

Please consider adding to our voices and complain to Durham Council Countryside Service.

Imagine what the Dutch would make of this?

[gazza_d]

I cycled along there from Gateshead on Tuesday after watching the tour depart.

The path was very dry but I could see where quite a bit could be muddy which would make it almost unusable in spells of bad weather.

A sealed surface would make it a proper multi use all year round trail. Crushed and compacted stone would be better than the mud in the short term but tends to get very rough

There are sections that are tarmaced. In my opinion it should all be a sealed surface similar to most of the NCN7 route from Consett down to Washington.

If anyone is cycling that loop on a weekday then there's an excellent little cafe right on NCN7 at The Greenhouse just off grreencroft way There is a gate into the car park from the path and lovely seating area beside the duckpond when the weather is nice. The staff are all lovely and charming

[SteveGray]

Rest assured conditions do deteriorate after rain and during the winter months. If anybody would like to join our mini campaign for improvements to a proper multi user path standard, please do contact Durham Council Countryside Service 0300 264589 or e mail : countryside@durham.gov.uk.

Thanks

[landsurfer]

I rode the path last week from Consett to Tynemouth, I thought the surface was excellent, more than good enough for my road bike with 28mm tyres ...
Are you sure the the tracks , especially the centre picture, are not motorbikes ?
Or possibly high power MTB e-bikes ....
My LBS specialises in wide tyre , very high power, electric bikes which are causing similar damage in the peak district.