Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

This report prsents the findings of a public consultation exercise for the Marple Area Cycling and Walking Strategy (MACAWS) which took place from 4th September to 9th October 2023, on a package of potential highway measures in Marple Town Centre under the name of Marple Area Cycling and Walking Strategy, or MACAWS for short.

The Area Committee is asked to comment on this report and provide a recommendation to the Cabinet Member (Parks, Highways and Transport Services) on whether to approve a number of highway measures for future funding bids as follows:-

Measure A:  Improved pedestrian and cycle facilities at the Stockport Road / Station Road / Church Lane including a Sparrow Crossing of Stockport Road with segregated pedestrian and cycle facilities and cycle connections to adjacent residential streets.

Measure B: Closure of Church Lane to motorised vehicles at the junction of Stockport Road / Station Road, and introduction of two-way operation on Church Lane west of Leigh Avenue.

Measure C: Replacement of the Hibbert Lane / Church Lane roundabout with a signal junction.

Measure D: Traffic calming and improved pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities on Church Lane between Hibbert Lane and Brickbridge Road.

Measure F: Amendment to the Stockport Road / Hibbert Lane junction, including extension of the right-turn lane into Hibbert Lane.

Additional Measure 1: An extended 20mph speed limit area around the Town Centre in particular to include the full length of Hollins Lane, Hibbert Lane from south of Church Lane to Stockport Road and Church Lane from the School warning sign south of Brickbridge Road to Hibbert Lane (subject to approval and advertising of TRO’s).

Additional Measure 2: An area wide 20mph speed limit on residential streets in Marple as indicated on Plan F/5194/D/118 in Appendix B (subject to approval and advertising of TRO’s).

Additional Measure 3:  A controlled crossing on Brabyns Brow in the vicinity of Marple Station and other improvements to walking and cycling routes to Marple Station.

Officer contact: Caroline Aylmer-Shanks, c.aylmer-shanks@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Governance submitted a report of the Director of Place Management (copies of which had been circulated) presenting the findings of a public consultation exercise for the Marple Area Cycling and Walking Strategy (MACAWS) which took place from 4th September to 9th October 2023, on a package of potential highway measures in Marple Town Centre under the name of Marple Area Cycling and Walking Strategy, or MACAWS for short.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was suggested that continuous 20mph zones are better to implement than staggered sections. In response, it was stated that the scheme could afford to support 20mph speed limit areas which will include repeater signs.

·         It was requested that the ‘crossing’ on Brabyns Brow be investigated to be included in the scheme.

·         Members expressed concern that the results of the public consultation had not been fully considered and that the junction of Church Lane and Hibbert Lane be re-visited. It was commented that the proposed measure was not funded, so additional consultation was possible.

·         It was commented that traffic may flow better with fewer traffic signals and members would request a trial period with some traffic signals switched off on the junction of Church Lane and Hibbert Lane.

RESOLVED – (For 5, Against 1) That the Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services be recommended to approve measures C, D, and Additional Measures 1, 2 and 3 for future funding bids.