Marple station car park

[CllrGeoffAbell]

I believe that TfGM provides a small amount to make journeys cheaper within Greater Manchester.  The same reason that those with a bus pass get free off-peak journeys.  Whilst Strines has a relatively poor service at the moment, it is within Greater Manchester, whilst New Mills is not.  The subsidy dates back to the days when Barbara Castle was in charge.  If memories go back that far.

May I add my sadness for the loss of Warwick Burton, who played a major part in the Marple 150 celebrations this summer, acknowledged in a separate thread.

On a happier note - Merry Christmas to all.


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[barndoor]

As is often the way, ignore the news article: it's the accompanying comments section which is where the highest levels of intellectual discourse are to be found. And luckily for us Jim R is on hand to dispense some worldly wisdom.

Picturesque town of Marple? Whoever wrote this has never been there.

That's Jim R.

From Keighley.

Keighley.

Just sayin'.

[rsh]

Mistake earlier - it's £7 return from New Mills Central, but still too much of a jump. Also bizarrely from Newtown (longer distance, more stops) it's only £6.30 return?

As for the big difference in fares within Greater Mancheater compared with High Peak, that is unlikely to change, and is something that those of us who live within Greater Manchester pay for though our council tax, which is higher than council tax in High Peak.

Are you sure it comes so directly from council tax? I didn't know that.

New Mills has the highest council tax in High Peak and there's mostly only around £10 difference between most Stockport bands. Of course they could just be spending the money in different places!

http://www.stockport.gov.uk/2013/2986/34917/ctinfographic
http://www.highpeak.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/pages/HP%20Total%20CT%201516.pdf

A frustrating aside is that Glossop and Hadfield while in High Peak and a similar if not further distance out are considered part of GM for rail, so fares are more similar to Strines.

[Dave]

Given how busy it is, the Marple overflow is really not fit for purpose in any way - security, lighting, capacity and even pedestrian access across to the station once you've (literally?!) dumped your car is pretty bad. Needs Northern Rail, TfGM and Stockport Council to give it a complete rethink along the lines of Hazel Grove.

At the same time, WHEN are they going to iron out the ludicrous jump in Manchester fares from £4-something to £10-something (and that's off-peak) between Strines and New Mills?

Agreed, rsh - the car park behind the Purple Pakora is badly designed, lacking in defined parking spaces (so people waste space by parking too far apart) and above all, too small.

As for the big difference in fares within Greater Mancheater compared with High Peak, that is unlikely to change, and is something that those of us who live within Greater Manchester pay for though our council tax, which is higher than council tax in High Peak.

[rsh]

I seem to remember the Friends of Strines Station website (sadly currently offline?) had a warning about cars being broken into overnight there back in April too. Both car parks have very inadequate lighting (I think Strines car park still isn't lit at all despite recent improvements) and of course no CCTV.

Given how busy it is, the Marple overflow is really not fit for purpose in any way - security, lighting, capacity and even pedestrian access across to the station once you've (literally?!) dumped your car is pretty bad. Needs Northern Rail, TfGM and Stockport Council to give it a complete rethink along the lines of Hazel Grove.

At the same time, WHEN are they going to iron out the ludicrous jump in Manchester fares from £4-something to £10-something (and that's off-peak) between Strines and New Mills? This would probably mean many Derbyshire residents could/would leave their car at home and use their local station rather than being forced to drive across the border and fill this car park... (I've no problem them doing that, they simply shouldn't have to for a "fair" fare). Current High Peak MP and local councillors sadly don't seem to see or understand the problem.

[Howard]

Thanks for posting this, I didn't know anything about this. Unfortunately I had to suffer the Daily Mail site to read it.

[Dave]

Blimey!  I sometimes leave a car there overnight - I'll think twice about it from now on.

(Btw, isn't the Mail Online unbelievably tacky!) 

[Lily]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3340931/Thieves-launch-old-school-attack-pair-brand-new-cars-stealing-wheels-leaving-jacked-tree-trunks.html