Marple regeneration partnership

[Howard]

Quote (Dave @ Nov. 26 2007,17:54)

It will improve the look of the area hugely, both by getting rid of the ugliest buildings in Marple, and also by easing the traffic congestion caused by the buses stopping on the road and in the layby.

Whilst I don't disagree that the buildings are ugly, there are a number of candidates that match it for ugliness, though none in such a prominent place. I would nominate Priory House on Hibbert Lane and the M&Co building. The 60s&70s town planners and architects have a great deal to answer for in Marple's town centre.

I would disagree about the traffic congestion being caused by the buses. It's caused by selfish drivers, parking in the bus lay by on the double yellow lines. At busy times, you can see most of the bus parking place taken up by cars.

[Dave]

Quote (alison @ Nov. 25 2007,18:16)

I would hate to see the heart ripped out of it just to provide a bus parking area!

If knocking down the Hollins shops is ripping the heart out of Marple, then bring it on - the sooner we have a heart transplant the better!   '>

The idea is not a 'bus parking area' - it's a properly designed open air small bus station, with quality hard and soft landscaping (cobbles, greenery).  It will improve the look of the area hugely, both by getting rid of the ugliest buildings in Marple, and also by easing the traffic congestion caused by the buses stopping on the road and in the layby.

[tonyjones]

Yes. Sort out Middlewood Way.
Yes. Sort out Marple Station carpark. It is now so congested that the car parks at the bottom of Brabyns brow and the Barbyns Park car parks are often full with commuter's cars. Perhaps they should start to charge users from outside the Marple area.

As for the 'rat run' from Church lane to Stockport Road. The Hibbert Lane extension is the only exit from the South side of Marple into the centre, the next one is Cross Lane. Anyone going from Church Lane towards Station Road and Marple Bridge is bound to use it. I think this was bad planning when they built Hibbert lane extension.

[alison]

You are lucky to have a sorting office that is relatively accessible (on foot even) from the centre of Marple. And whilst I am sure that there are many improvements that can be made to the town centre, its not that bad you know - try living in Stockport! I would hate to see the heart ripped out of it just to provide a bus parking area!

Having shopped at the coop (horrible experience) and Deli Select (much nicer experience) at the weekend I can't help thinking the coop is such a wasted opportunity. the product range and quality is good, and it has a really good location in the centre of town, but the place itself is just such a dump. I know the coop are hoping to brighten up a few of their stores next year - hopefully that will be one of them.

Alison

[RAY NOBLE]

Church Road. Hibbert Road??

[Dave]

The main problem with the sorting office is not so much its location, but its horrible non-customer friendly design and layout, and the ridiculous car park next to it! One option would be to demolish the sorting office and rebuild nearby in an attractive design.  However, does a sorting office really need to take up valuable land in the town centre?  Would it be better on a new plot somewhere else? For example, near Rose Hill tip?

[eeyore21]

where would you put the sorting office or dont we need one.
very good ideas though i agree with them.

[Dave]

Get rid of the bus layby at the Hollins.  Bulldoze the Hollins shops and replace them with an open landscaped area - a small bus station used by buses going in all directions (towards Stockport as well as away from it).  Build new bus shelters and provide plenty of space for the buses to pull right off the road.

Then demolish the ugly postal sorting office and totally reorganise all that crazy car parking area next to it.  Create a big new car park there with direct access through from Stockport Road as well as Church Road.  This should reduce traffic in Church Road and the bottom of Hollins Lane.  

After that, flatten the ugly buildings of Marple Station and replace them with decent looking ones.

We live in hope............. '>

[Howard]

Out of interest, what parts of Marple would our readers regenerate? In no particular order I'd like to see:
1) The Middlewood way fixed, once and for all.
2) The car park at Marple Station sorted out
3) Some form of traffic control to stop the rat runs that people use (e.g. the "Service Vehicles Only" road which comes out opposite HSBC and Wilsons that people use to avoid the lights on Hibbert Road).

Any more suggestions?

[wolfman]

Marple Regeneration Partnership is a voluntary organisation that has been established to allow local people to come together to discuss local issues.
Meetings are held approximately every two months. Membership is diverse and includes traders, residents, Councillors, local interest groups, Police officers, Ranger, Council officers and many more. The Partnership is chaired by Patrick O'Herilhy, a local businessman in Marple.
Issues currently being discussed include:

•   Highway Improvement schemes
•   Marketing opportunities
•   Christmas Initiatives
•   Environmental improvements
All those with an interest in the future prosperity of Marple District Centre are welcome to attend the meetings of the Partnership. The date of the next meeting is to be arranged in November 2007, 6:00-8:00pm in Marple Library, Memorial Park, Marple.
For more information contact Brian Nash
Environment & Economy Directorate, District & Local Centres Regeneration Team, Lower Ground Floor, Stopford House, Piccadilly, Stockport. SK1 3XE
Tel. No.               0161 474 4519      
Fax. 0161 474 2610
Email. brian.nash@stockport.gov.uk