I went to the open forum on traffic and parking yesterday evening, which preceded the Marple Area Committee meeting. It was very disappointing. There was a good turnout. Various people stood up and raised issues which concerned them. There were two officers from the Highways Department present, and they were defensive and unhelpful. I didn't catch their names, but I think one was the Head of the Highways Department. His stock response was to just bat issues straight back to the questioner. When someone expressed concern about parking on double yellow lines, and asked whether restrictions could be enforced more strictly, he said 'well it's you, the local community, who are doing the parking - enforce it yourselves!'. And it was the same with speeding - 'you are doing the speeding, so just stop it!' or words to that effect.
Someone else raised the issue of the lack of parking at Marple Station and in and around Marple Bridge, and suggested that the car park across the road from the station (behind the Purple Pakora) might be extended. The response was 'it may be green belt' (which is true, but that didn't prevent the existing car park from being made), and a pointless lecture on why people should walk or cycle to the station rather than drive.
The officers seemed to have no constructive ideas as to how to tackle any of the issues raised. It was a frustrating and depressing experience.