Brooks Drive, Wildlife corridor and heritage site.

Brooks Drive got its name from that of its creator Samuel Brooks a Victorian banker and property developer. He bought up a strip of land between Hale Barns and a new Station his bank had commissioned on the railway line from Altrincham to Manchester which became known as Brooklands station. Along this strip of land exclusive homes where constructed to allow the chosen few to enjoy privileged travel to the station along Brooks Drive. The Drive was planted out with a double hedge row each side and between the hedges a line of specimen trees where planted. Today much of the drive has been adopted as public highway but where it runs through the Broomwood in Timperley much of the original design remains.

This tree lined route not only provides a quiet walking , hacking or cycling route away from traffic for the public but also allows the free movement of wildlife from Davenport green and the Bollin valley into the suburbs of Sale and Timperley. This movement is critical in stopping small wild communities from becoming isolated and eventually dying out.

The drive had fallen into disrepair and would have remained so had it not been for the formation of the Friends of Brooks Drive. Funding was acquired which allowed the hedges to be layed to allow re-growth, much needed tree surgery and the path to be resurfaced. The friends are still active today running guided walks, planting and maintenance days. For further information or to get involved contact Mary Eastwood, Chair person of the Friends of Brooks drive on 0161 969 9931.