Parking ban for forest roads

VILLAGERS fear plans to stop visitors parking on roads near Macclesfield Forest will only move the problem elsewhere.

Cheshire East is proposing to ban parking on Standing Stone Road, Trentabank Road, Field Road, and sections of Clarke Lane, Red Lane, Forest Side and Oven Lane. It comes after complaints about traffic chaos caused by visitors to Macclesfield Forest parking on the roads.

But there are concerns among Langley residents that the restrictions will only force visitors to park further down the road and in the village.

Sarah Cantlie, 31, landlady at the St Dunstan Inn on Main Road, which turns into Clarke Lane, said: “It’s chaos on the roads but people are worried the council’s proposals won’t solve the problem.”

Marcus Lonyon said on Facebook: “It’s getting to crisis point in Macclesfield Forest and Langley, with the constant weekend traffic jams. Sooner or later there is going to be a serious road rage incident or an emergency services vehicle is not going to get through.”

The proposals come after concerns raised by a Macclesfield Forest working group, which includes Sutton Parish Council, Peak Park rangers and other partners.

Coun Hilda Gaddum, Sutton councillor for Cheshire East council, said the proposals will help create ‘passing places’ for drivers.

She said: “This has been a problem for years. There is always concern that parking restrictions will cause a problem elsewhere but we need to try and find a solution.”

The proposals are available at Macclesfield Library. Comments should be made to Mr J Howard, Cheshire East Council, Parking Services, Town Hall, Market Place, Macclesfield, SK10 1EA by Wednesday, February 4.