From the moment of interception in the early 1860s to the final fanfare on the diesel's horn as it made its last journey in January 1970, the Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple(MBM) railway was plagued with problems and controversy. This was partly because its origins lay in the turbulent politics of competing railway companies of the period each company vying with the other to break new ground. Ultimately, with different motives, the North Staffordshire railway and the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire combined to build the MBM. The companies had difficulty in finding the money at almost every stage off the railway's construcion, especially as the total turned out to be three times the original estimate! Controversy raged for years over the siting of its terminus in Macclesfield so it operated for five years with only a temporary makeshift station in its largest town. Engineering problems reared their head too- how to cross the Dean Valley and how to build the line up the steep gradient between Macclesfield and Bollington.
A great asset of the Way is the number of alternative routes available. These are provided by the line itself, the Ladybrook and Bollin Valleys, Lyme Park, the old tramways of the Poynton Colliery Inclines, the Gritstone Trail and the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk along the Macclesfield Canal. This provides a variety of scenery and a wealth of industrial archaeological features. There are opportunities to connect with facilities such as the Cheshire Cycleway and 10 cheshire Cycle tours. Cycle hire is available from Lyme Park and from a new centre of Grimshaw Lane, Bollington. There is a seperate path for horses all the way between Bollington and Marple, giving a 9 mile traffic-free ride. There are picnic tables at Marple Woods, High Lane Station, Higher poynton, Poynton Coppice, street Lane near Addlington Road, Bollington. There is access to the parkway in many places, with car parks at Rose Hill, High Lane, Higher Poynton and at Bollington below the fine stone-arched viaduct of the old railway.
With competition from the buses and road transport, and the decline in coal, quarrying and textile industries the line was economically doomed. Even after its closure this controversial railway caused considerable debate as to its future. Railway enthusiasts tried to buy the line but failed. Eventually, Macclesfield and Stockport Councils decided to reclaim the line for recreation purposes. In the meantime, dereliction had taken its toll. The line was used as a dump; trees sprung up from the bed and the track was flooded along many stretches. The councils were determined to convert the eyesore into a major recreational asset for the area. In three years the full length of the line has been restored, bridges repaired and new fences erected. More obvious are the new paths and tracks provided for walking, riding and cycling, well away from traffic. The engineers, landscape architects and recreation staff in, together with the Councillors, can feel proud of the scheme as a major achievement for local government. Development has not ended with completion of the works carried out so far, other facilities will be added as opportunities arise.