Wisley and Elm Corner update

 Dave Ferrett and I wanted to be back before the rain set in today but also have an interesting ride. Plan A was to go Lightwater but this morning that seemed unlikely to meet the keep dry criteria. We also wanted a more rural ride than the outward trip to Egham. So we headed south to Thorpe via Hurst Lane and then Lyne Lane and the edge of Addlestone to Rowhook and West Byfleet. After an early lunch at the Anchor at Pyrford we set off to go over the footbridge at Wisley following last weekend's work to install the new road bridge beams.

The first challenge was to find the path. The old one from Wisley Lane is now under the embankment leading to the new bridge and new signage is only really aimed at RHS Wisley visitors. So first turn right into the Wisley entrance and then immediately left (across the painted No Entry sign!) into the stub of the old entrance road. Then signs to A3 Bus Stop Guildford take you along the west side of the new embankment.

Looking back from the bridge ramp. The old path went to the right.

The new bridge alongside the old.

At the end of the footbridge it's necessary to carry bikes down (or up) a temporary staircase - fortunately only 9 steps at a time . The old ramp ran only inches under the new bridge so had to be removed.

From here the new link from Elm Corner to Old Lane is now complete so we didn't cycle across the airfield. The old muddy track with deep holes has been transformed into this...

and emerges onto Old Lane a few hundred yards south of Ockham Bites complete with signage. From here it's not far to the Black Swan cross roads but cars tend to the drive quite fast round the bends on Old Lane so best to be visible if using this route.

Eventually the cycle/bridleway route will lead up onto the southern ramp of the new road bridge to join the shared path over the bridge. Until then we have to put up with the stairs.

We arrived home very satisfied with our exploration and almost dry just as the steady rain set in.