The Fallowfield Loop is an off-road cycle path, pedestrian and horse riding route from Chorlton through
Fallowfield and Levenshulme to Gorton and Fairfield in Manchester (see map of route).
It is part of a national cycle network of routes and paths devloped and built by Sustrans.
The Fallowfield Loop is part of route 55 of this network. Look for the following signs:
The Fallowfield loop was previously part of the old 'Manchester Central Station Railway', built in the 1890s and closed in 1988. ‘Friends’ President Eddie Johnson’s book on the line describes the Loop as it was when steam trains ruled the rails. The cover shows a view of Fallowfield station in about 1950. Copies of the book are still available in local bookshops or contact the ‘Friends’.
The line had lain derelict for many years until the late 1990s, when a group of cyclists started campaigning for its conversion to a traffic free 'greenway' across south Manchester.
That group, together with supporters from local civic societies and other community groups, formally became the 'Friends of the Fallowfield Loop' in June 2001
The route is now mostly owned by Sustrans, a charity which specialises in building off road cycle routes. They have partly funded conversion of the route, together with Manchester City Council, Sainsburys and others.
The overall aim of the 'Friends' is to encourage and support all the partners in the Fallowfield Loop route to provide and maintain a first class community resource and to encourage its use by as many people as possible.
The Fallowfield Loop creates a linear park and wildlife corridor, linking parks and open spaces.
The Fallowfield Loop follows the line of the Thirlmere Aquaduct which brings water from the Lake District to large parts of Manchester.
The Fallowfield Loop is used daily by the Mounted Police, based at Hough End, to exercise their horses.
At 8 miles long the Fallowfield Loop is thought to be the longest urban cycleway in Britain
To promote and support the use of the route by an appropriate variety of groups and individuals.
To represent the interests of its members and other users of the Loop in relations with other statutory and voluntary bodies.
Lobbying the Loop's partners, local councillors, MPs and others on issues connected to the route, such as funding, signing, maintenance and promotion.
Promoting the Loop to potential users such as schools (as a 'Safe Route to School') and Manchester City F.C. (for use as a route for supporters to get to matches at the new stadium).
Publicising the route and activities taking place on it, via the local press and radio.
Organising promotional events such as Health Walks and Pedalling Picnics.
Removing glass and other debris from the tarmac - a number of Friends have each 'adopted' a short section of the Loop which they inspect and maintain regularly.
Cleaning up the route - we have held several 'clean-up days' already, when we remove large items of litter from the route.
Planting - we are getting a wildlife survey of the route carried out, so we can enhance the natural habitats on the Loop by, for example, planting suitable shrubs and wild flowers and putting up bat boxes.
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