GC12KZ4 Interchangeable (Traditional Cache) in North West England, United Kingdom created by muttoneer and adopted by Ian Titanic

This cache has been archived.

Iantitanic: Looks like this cache has had its day!

GC12KZ4 ▼

A cache by muttoneer and adopted by Ian Titanic Message this owner

Hidden : 5/2/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

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This cache is placed at the Croft Interchange, the busy junction between the M6 and the M62. Considering this is the heart of the Northwest's transport network, you'd think this would be an easily accessible cache, wouldn't you...?

The Croft Interchange was first opened in 1973 and completed the following year. It is a partial cloverleaf junction planned on a grand scale to ensure vehicles could maintain 70mph on most of the slip roads. Such was the size of the junction that access was planned to several islands of land amongst the slip roads, so that some agricultural or leisure use could still be made of the area. It is to one such 'island' that you will be paying a visit.

Another by product of the Interchange's size was the amount of soil needed to create the embankments for the slip roads. To meet this requirement the constructors created a 'borrow pit' next to the junction, from which they extracted 2½ million cubic yards of sandstone. This pit soon filled with water and is now an attractive lake which can be seen from the motorway, known as Houghton Green Pool. It is a favourite haunt for local dog walkers and has several species of birds on it, notably widgeon and grebe, not to mention a couple of swans on our visit.

I would recommend approaching the cache from the west. There is limited parking along Delph Lane just north of the bridge over the M62. Access can be achieved from Croft in the east, but parking isn't easy and you'd miss seeing the lake! It should go without saying, but on no account should anyone park on the motorway hard shoulder to access the cache.

To access the 'island' of land you will need to go through an underpass. This appears to be unlit, hence my suggestion that you do this cache in the daytime.

Once on the island, go towards the next footbridge over the M6 and you will (hopefully) find the cache.

Here is the view of the M6 in all it's glory, from 50 yards away from the cache site.

I hope you enjoy your visit. The pool and the 'island' can be quite restful places, even with the thunderous noise of two major motorways not far away!