The London and North Western Railway's Coalport Branch Line to Coalport via Stirchley & Madeley Market after the failure of the Shropshire Canal. This became the Silkin Way some years after the closure of the railway to passengers in 1952 and to goods on 5 December 1960. In April 1980 the 2 ft gauge Telford Town Tramway was opened on the trackbed of the Coalport branch alongside Randlay Pool in the Park. The tramway only lasted a few years before it closed in the mid-1980s. The tram has since been preserved by the Telford Steam Railway running on its own circular track by Horsehay Pool. As well as the LNWR Coalport branch, a freight-only Great Western Railway branch from Hollinswood Junction, on the Wolverhampton-Shrewsbury line just east of the present day Telford Central station. It ran south through the park on the east side of what is now Randlay Pool, terminating near the Stirchley chimney. Opened in 1908, this short lived line was closed on 2 February 1959. A bridleway runs parallel to, and partly on, the alignment of this branch on the both sides of Randlay Lake. A one time member of parliament, Lewis Silkin, a deputy leader of the House of Lords under the Labour party was instrumental in getting the Access to the Countryside Town act of 1963 through Parliament. Telford being a new town at the time honoured him by naming this route after him. Starting from the north, close to the Town Centre, travel south along following the Silkin Way sign posting. The route passes some fascinating history of the area. It is just under 4.25 miles long and there's The brewery Inn at the Coalport end offering sustenance and ties ups for equestrians. Water is available for the horses. There is a 6 ft 6inch height restriction over the Coalport Bridge! It would be possible to continue your ride by looping back on the Severn Way the other side of the river, by crossing The Coalport bridge. Grid ref: SJ 6989 0822 Excellent parking + alternative parking off Dark Lane. Grid ref: SJ 6998 0227 Parking at Brewery Inn, Coalport

Silkin Way at Blist Hill bridge © Copyright Richard Law and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Silkin Way bridge passing over near Telford © Copyright Richard Law and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Silkin Way site of Dawley and Stirchley station © Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Silkin Way signposted at Coalport © Copyright Richard Webb and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.