John Knight and Rachael Marlow, Green campaigners in Macclesfield recently sent this response to the Macclesfield Town Centre Regeneration Working Group. Their input was covered by Macclesfield Nub News but you can read their full original submission below:
To Macclesfield Town Centre Regeneration Working Group,
As Green Party campaigners for Macclesfield, we are eager to share our thoughts for the upcoming public consultation, driven by our genuine appreciation for Macclesfield town centre.
Over the past six months, we have actively engaged with residents, gathering their feedback on various issues that matter to them. The most recurring theme in our conversations and surveys has been the concerning condition of the roads in Macclesfield, which many describe as shocking. Additionally, residents have expressed frustration over the lack of safe cycling routes throughout the town.
To address these pressing concerns, we believe that Macclesfield Town Council should implement a “20 is plenty” speed limit in the town, fix the potholes, create protected bike lanes and re-establish the NCN55 route which would bring more visitors and residents to the town centre. This initiative would significantly enhance the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists, fostering a more welcoming and secure environment for everyone in and visiting our community. The availability of cycle lanes along the roads is quite limited, and those that do exist are often disconnected, leading cyclists from one random spot to another without any clear destination. Many of these lanes tend to end abruptly, especially in places where they would be most beneficial, like on hills or at busy intersections. Additionally, parked cars frequently block these lanes, making it difficult for cyclists to navigate safely. There are very few paths that are completely free from traffic, meaning cyclists have to share the road with cars and trucks, which can be dangerous.
One of the rare traffic-free routes is the Middlewood Way, which connects Macclesfield to nearby towns like Bollington, Poynton, and Marple. This path is part of National Cycle Network Route 55, and while improvements were made last year to widen the sidewalks and enhance crossings at Black Lane and Hibel Road, the route becomes less clear at the Silk Road underpass just a short distance away. Over time, the markings that used to help cyclists find their way through town have faded, leaving only a few small blue arrows that do little to remind drivers to give cyclists enough space. If we want to encourage people to use cars less, we must offer a safe environment for active travel – including cycling – in the town. Meanwhile, Cheshire East has set an ambitious goal to become a carbon-neutral council, yet they are considering plans that could harm a rare and important peat bog at Danes Moss. It is so important for us that any development plans in Macclesfield prioritise the preservation of Danes Moss, as it plays a vital role in our environment.
We would like you to encourage more people to shop at Scoop and Scales, a refill store located in the Old Sunday School at The Heritage Centre in Macclesfield. Our commitment to the health and well-being of the local community, as well as the environment, drives us to fully support this initiative. We believe it’s important for individuals to appreciate themselves, the food that they eat, their possessions, and Macclesfield town centre. The cooperative aims to minimise waste by buying and selling eco-friendly products, fresh organic fruits and vegetables, high-quality canned goods, herbs, spices, and essential baking items minimising the use of packaging. Additionally, Scoop and Scales is associated with the Macclesfield Repair Café, a community hub where people can bring in broken items and learn how to fix them with the help of skilled volunteers. This initiative covers a wide range of items, from bicycles and clothing to electronics and woodworking projects. By repairing existing items instead of purchasing new ones, participants not only acquire new skills and meet new friends but also contribute positively to the environment. Repairing items significantly reduces waste that would otherwise fill up Macclesfield’s household waste recycling centre. We would also like more people to know about The One Project in Macclesfield, a cohesive community empowered by the knowledge and skills to embrace sustainable environmentally friendly ways of living, making “waste” food available to the public at a low cost price.
We envision a future where Macclesfield becomes a plastic-free town. Encouraging local businesses to participate in the movement against single-use plastics is really important for fostering sustainable living practices. By actively choosing to avoid using and providing items like plastic bags, disposable coffee cups, and plastic trays, Macclesfield can significantly reduce waste and lessen the impact on the environment. By saying no to single-use plastics, everyone can help protect fragile and invisible ecosystems in Macclesfield town centre and ensure the well-being of our birds, for example.
We would like you to tackle anti-social behaviour by addressing its underlying causes and enhancing community policing to effectively reduce issues like homelessness, begging, alcoholism and drug use. One of our key thoughts is to revitalise the Town Hall and library, transforming them into inviting spaces that people will want to visit both during the day and at night. Additionally, we are committed to improving childrens’ and young adults’ services by campaigning for holiday and evening youth clubs, which will help make Macclesfield a more lively and engaging place for teenagers. We also support Just Drop In, an organisation that offers valuable services and events for young people and their parents on Brook Street in Macclesfield.
We would like you to be committed to improving Macclesfield for individuals with seen and unseen disabilities, focusing on enhancing equal accessibility throughout Macclesfield town centre. One major concern is the lack of access for wheelchair users at South Park, particularly at the entrance on Hobson Street, where a barrier prevents entry. This issue is compounded by the limited number of disabled parking spaces available in the South Park Car Park, which forces many people to park on Hobson Street and John Street instead. To address these challenges, we propose the installation of a wider gate at the Hobson Street entrance. This change would not only benefit wheelchair users but also assist parents with double buggies, making it easier for families to enjoy the park. With a new Café Pavilion set to open this year, we believe that improving access will encourage more disabled individuals and families to visit this wonderful green space before or after their trips into town.
A few months ago, we attended a presentation by People Powered Retrofit at St. Michael’s Church in Macclesfield. We appreciated the reasons behind retrofitting homes and transitioning to renewable energy sources, as well as the importance of eliminating gas boilers. These changes can lead to reduced energy consumption, lower utility bills, and decreased carbon emissions, all of which contribute to a better quality of life. However, we are concerned that social housing tenants in Macclesfield Town Centre may not be receiving the support they need. It seems that Cheshire Peaks and Plains and other social housing providers could do a lot more to ensure that everyone has equal access to essential insulation services and renewable energy sources, which are needed for improving energy efficiency and comfort in their rented homes.
Macclesfield has a great chance to enhance its unique charm by promoting and attracting independent businesses like shops, restaurants, and creative spaces. Instead of depending solely on national chains, which are struggling, the town can benefit from a variety of retail, leisure, and cultural options. This could involve making it easier for small businesses to open, perhaps through flexible leases or support networks, and creating a special identity that highlights the town’s history and creativity. Imagine more artisan bakeries, independent bookstores, galleries, and workshops that offer experiences beyond just shopping.
Improving the town centre’s environment and public spaces is essential for making it a more inviting place to visit. This means investing in the public areas by updating old street furniture, enhancing lighting, adding more green spaces, and making the town more attractive and friendly for pedestrians. Focusing on key spots identified in regeneration plans, like the historic Market Place and Chestergate, can help create a better flow and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to stay longer and support local businesses. Enhancing connectivity and reducing car dominance in certain areas could also lead to positive changes.
Increasing the number of residents in the town centre can create a steady customer base for local businesses and make the area livelier, especially during evenings. Please work to convert parking spaces and derelict buildings into affordable housing. For example, by transforming underused upper floors above shops into living spaces, the town can attract more people to live in the heart of Macclesfield, further boosting its vibrancy, economy and community spirit.