LEJOG Day7 Premier Inn Chester to Belmont

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Leaving Chester on the busy A51 then A54 wasn't pleasant but things improved once on the B5393 to Ashton.  At a T junction approaching Lymm I turned right by mistake going off Grappenhall Lane B5356 onto Barleycastle Lane. Reviewing my mistake later, though it is slightly longer and involves crossing the A50 there was little traffic and it avoids four roundabouts on my original route. In Lymm, I realise now that I could have turned off the A56 onto Rectory Lane and cut off a corner. I've edited my GPX file to included these changes. In Leigh there is an unpleasant right turn across 3 lanes of traffic going from the A572 Spinning Jenny Way onto the B5215 King Street. I suggest you consider using the pedestrian controlled crossing to access King Street. I had another unpleasant right turn at Lockstock Junction where the A58 Beaumont Road crosses the A673 Chorley New Road. Rather than cycle across several lanes of fast traffic to make the right turn I dismounted and walked across. I think I've found a safer alternative and have edited my cycling directions and GPX file to avoid this dangerous junction. I suggest that soon after the railway station turn left onto Lockstock Junction Lane, then at the T junction turn right onto the A673. At the next traffic lights, turn left up Victoria Road A58 to continue.</span>

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Beyond Westhoughton the current LEJOG CTC YHA Chester to Slaidburn stage goes to Chorley, instead my route went through Belmont and Blackburn. After I had read the accounts of others, I decided at the planning stage to include an extra day between Chester and Slaidburn and to stay overnight at Belmont. I haven't fully assessed the merit of going via Chorley rather than Belmont but it looks attractive. I would probably choose the Chorley route if there were a next time.</span>

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Belmont was our poorest night stop during my LEJOG, the evening meal was acceptable but breakfast wasn't being served until 9am. It's up and over to Belmont then up then down to Blackburn. If I were to go via Chorley next time, I might still want to stay overnight somewhere between Chester and Slaidburn.</span>