National Trust calls for speed reduction on Macclesfield Road

by Lisa Reeves

Tuesday 14^th November 2017

Tue 14^th Nov 2017

The National Trust are calling for the speed limit to be reduced on a stretch of Macclesfield Road.

Speaking at the Parish Council meeting on Monday, 13th November, Councillor Craig Browne informed his fellow councillors that the National Trust has produced a report which supported the need for a speed reduction on a section of Macclesfield Road, heading out of the village towards Over Alderley.

He said "This has become a more pertinent issue recently in the other direction, coming towards Alderley Edge, as vehicles travelling at 60mph suddenly find themselves in a 30mph limit with parked cars blocking the road shortly after the drivers pass the brow of the hill."

Councillor Browne has a meeting this week with Chris Widger, Countryside Manager at the National Trust, and our PCSO Chris Hopkins to discuss a proposal to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph from the top of hill (where the 'birdcages' are) to the junction with Finlow Hill Lane.

What do you think about reducing the speed limit on this stretch of Macclesfield Road? Share your views via the comment box below.

Tags:: Macclesfield Road, National Trust

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Bob Bracegirdle

Tuesday 14^th November 2017 at 5:18 pm

Good idea.

Kristina Hulme

Tuesday 14^th November 2017 at 5:58 pm

I agree with the speed limit as proposed by the National Trust but more importantly we need further restriction on parking on the hill from Woodbrook Road down to the Village. We have already had fatalities on this road and together with all day parked cars and speeding cyclists trying to manoevre with heavy soil removing vehicles it is an accident waiting to happen. We also have inconsiderate parking on roads leading down the Macclesfield Road such as on Tempest Road and Woodbrook Road where vision is restricted when making a right and left turns.
Let’s try and work together and also for the developers to try and understand the difficulties of the local community who are trying to drive safely in and around Alderley Edge. They generally have good site managers so a little consideration is called for.

Steven Cozens

Tuesday 14^th November 2017 at 7:40 pm

I use this road regularly and can honestly say that in my opinion over many years of driving this road in many weathers, the speed limit is not the issue here. I always stick to the speed limit and I have never noticed a 'sudden' change in the speed limit. It is perfectly reasonable for people to come from one road into a residential area and expect a 30mph zone to accompany it. This seems rather obvious and surely something we all remember in the Highway Code!
Would it be too much to ask for a few signs counting down the approach to the 30mph zone? Inexpensive and warns any distracted motorist in advance. An easy solution which I am sure is not beyond the imagination rather than more excuses to raise cash by catching innocent motorists speeding at every available opportunity.

Pamela Scoltock

Tuesday 14^th November 2017 at 8:05 pm

As someone who lives very close to the brow on Macclesfield Road for the last 27 years it is pleasing to hear that at long last this stretch of road is being recognised as dangerous for both coming up the hill and going down.
Personally I believe the stretch from the bird cages to past the car park on the Edge should be down to 30 miles an hour because of the amount of tourist/ walkers the area attracks. It will also give the housesowners on the hill a safe exit from their driveways. It's not uncommon to make your manoeuvre onto Macclesfield Road to look into your rear mirror to see a vehicle hurtling its way towards your bumper. The sooner we can get this implemented the better or are we going to have to wait years before we have
a road survey done by the Highways and Byeways to prove the blindingly obvious.

Peter Hallmark

Tuesday 14^th November 2017 at 9:41 pm

Well Craig, they don't suddenly find themselves in a 30 mph limit as there are signs which are clearly visible. I was taught by my driving instructor to slow down to the new speed limit before entering it. Not slowing down once past the sign. However, the parking at the top of the hill is getting worse and surely that is causing an obstruction. If you go up the hill you have to stop to avoid cars coming at you in the middle of the road. From my experience people seem to drive with the attitude of go for it and hope for the best on the stretch between Woodbrook road and the top. Let's have that problem sorted please. As for dropping the speed limit past the Edge car parks it makes sense as it is a popular attraction, especially at weekends with many people about. So I suggest 40 mph during the day at weekends / bank holidays and back up to 60 mph at all other times.

Brian Etchells

Wednesday 15^th November 2017 at 5:41 pm

I live in Over Alderley and therefore regularly use this stretch of road. I totally endorse a change of speed limit and yellow lines along the whole stretch too Finlow Hill. I also think that a pavement should be put in place. Every weekend, many walkers walk along this very busy stretch of road, which is just simply dangerous.

Maybe even a cycle lane so that we don’t have to negotiate around the multitude of cyclists in huge groups that have total disregard too other road users.

Jane Paros

Wednesday 15^th November 2017 at 6:47 pm

I endorse the proposal, with the additional request for the speed limit to commence at the junction with Slade Lane.
When exiting Finlow Hill Lane, the traffic westbound towards Alderley Edge makes the egress hazardous.
I hope this proposal goes ahead.

Alan Brough

Thursday 16^th November 2017 at 11:27 am

I agree with Pamela Scoltrock above - with the added suggestion (again) that the bird cages be removed as they serve no useful purpose and are a dangerous obstruction to the vision of walkers crossing the road at the Castle Rock layby.

The other point of real danger is for cars emerging from the car park at the rear of the Wizard pub / tearooms - cars parked in the layby outside The Wizard completely obscure the view of traffic travelling (fast) from the Alderley Edge direction.