National Route 55 of the National Cycle Network when complete will connect Ironbridge to Preston via Stafford, Macclesfield, Stockport and Wigan or Bolton. Between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent the route follows National Route 5.
Open Sections: The route is open and signed between Ironbridge and Telford (Donnington) on the mainly traffic-free Silkin Way and continues on road to Lilleshall.
There is a short section open from near Haughton on a traffic-free disused railway route into central Stafford.
The route is open between Barlaston and Hanley as a part of National Route 5. The route continues as National Route 55 northwards to Congleton.
The Middlewood Way is an open traffic-free section of the route between Macclesfield and Marple.
Eccles to Walkden is open on the Bolton branch of the route.
On the Wigan branch Standish - Adlington is open along with some traffic-free sections in the Chorley area extending into Preston.
Maps and leaflets for this route are shown below the map.
Ironbridge to the Lilleshall is covered on the free "Walking & Cycling map of Telford & Wrekin" and is available from Telford & Wrekin Council, tel: 01952 200 005 or download from Telford & Wrekin Council.
Ironbridge to Telford is also included on the free "Mercian Way - Around the Wrekin" leaflet available from Shropshire CC, tel: 01743 253008 or download from Shropshire CC.
Haugton to Stafford is mapped on the free "Cycling in Stafford Borough" available from Staffordshire CC, tel: 01785 276517 or download from Staffordshire CC.
Routes through Stoke-on-Trent are on the free "Stoke-on-Trent & Newcastle-Under-Lyme cycling map" available from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, tel: 01782 232066 or download from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Congleton to Marple is mapped on the free "Congleton to Marple Cycle Route Plan & Guide" available to download from Cheshire CC.
Macclesfield to Marple is mapped on the free "Middlewood Way" leaflet available from Cheshire East Council.
Eccles to Bolton is shown on the free "Greater Manchester Cycle Network" maps 2, 8 and 10 available from Bolton BC, tel: 01204 336115.