The Bus Chronicles: Should I just walk home instead?

Simon Lightfoot, Chris Boardman, Richard Nickson in Stockport last week. Image The Bee Network. 

I have thought, and briefly written about, whether it would be quicker and better all round to just walk home from work rather than wait for a bus that in all probability only has about a three in ten chance of turning up on time. 

Because there is the 4pm to 4:30pm deadzone, when there are no buses coming anyway, I could actually be two thirds of the way home before the first viable bus was due to turn up near work. 

What puts me off is the route.

I was reminded of all of this on Friday while reading a Bee Network press release about potential new funding for walking, wheeling and cycling routes. I found myself musing as to whether walking a route that has pavements on both sides of the road for the entire route would swing it in terms of walking down Marple Road. Then I remembered that it's probably a combination of the Highways Agency and Stockport Council who would be responsible for sorting that one out. 

Cycling to and from work is also another option I've considered but discounted when it comes to travelling to work. For much the same reason as I'd rather not walk home: The route is the problem. 

In addition to Marple Road's flexible approach to providing pavements on both sides of the road, there's also the fact that it's a rat run so the traffic is awful, meaning the pollution is similarly so. And there's quite a few hills as well. 

None of which makes it a joyous experience to walk. Given that when I search Unsplash for stock imagery of people walking, all it brings up is people walking in rural, or un-busy, locations I would say that walking down rat runs in rush hour traffic is not anyone's idea of a good time. Nor is it photogenic. 

I also, needless to say, have my £800 annual bus pass to consider. 

Better weather might sway me. But we'll see.