I need to break the law to put my car in my own driveway

Community divided on new plans for road safety

- By DECLAN CAREY

AWAY from the hustle and bustle of Stockport town centre, Marple Bridge offers a sense of quiet on the edge of Greater Manchester.

Families choose to live in the semi-rural village for its access to the Peak District and slower pace of life from some of the urban centres in the region.

But in the past few months an issue has left the community divided.

Much of the traffic in Marple Bridge filters through Compstall Road to get into other parts of Stockport or onto the M60.

The road is busy most times of the day, and locals say rush hour is a nightmare.

It is also a place where people go to visit local shops such as Lofthouse Butchers and Portland Wine.

Stockport council's plans to improve safety on the road have split opinions in Marple Bridge.

The town hall is planning to put a new Zebra crossing on Compstall Road near the junction of Cote Green Lane, with zig zag lines around it.

Funded by the government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, the plan would also mean a bus stop being relocated further ahead of the crossing, and moving some of the existing parking bays outside the Portland Wines shop.

The aim of changes are to make it easier and safer for people to access bus stops and use public transport in the borough.

The proposals were given the green light at the Marple Area Committee last summer after a consultation found 78 percent of respondents agreed with the plans.

Then in October 2024, the council's cabinet member for highways gave approval for the changes, and town hall has advertised the planned traffic regulations on its website.

Coun Steve Gribbon, who represents the Marple North ward, said the scheme has been designed with safety in mind after several "near misses" on the road due to speeding cars.