Market Place and Underbanks Access Plan

Overview

We would like to hear your views on proposals to enhance the Market Place and Underbanks area by further limiting vehicular access to the area at certain times of day. The proposals build on the changes currently underway, which are seeing greater numbers of residents and businesses in the Market and Underbanks area. The proposals have been developed to provide an improved environment for walking and cycling and for those wanting to spend more time in the Market Place and Underbanks Area. 

The timing of the closures have been developed to provide vehicular access to properties at appropriate times of day so servicing can continue to take place.  The closures will be enforced through a combination of fixed and automatic bollards. Fixed bollards are in place at all times. Automatic bollards lower to permit vehicular access at times of the day when the road closure is not in place. Access to the area during the closures can be arranged in special circumstances by speaking to the Council. 

The proposals are summarised as follows: 

• The full-time (24 hours a day / 7 days a week) closure of Churchgate/ Millgate to through traffic between property number 7 Millgate to immediately north of the Market Place/ Churchgate junction to provide improved connectivity between St Mary’s church and the Market Place. Pedestrian and cycle access through the closed section of Churchgate will be maintained.  A turning head will be provided on Churchgate, requiring the loss of two car parking spaces at the Churchgate car park. The proposals also include a pocket park on the closed section of Churchgate.  
• The installation of automatic bollards to limit access to the Market area between 10.30 am and midnight Mon - Sun. On Friday and Saturday, the restrictions would begin at 7am. The full time closure of the Market Place in front of the Produce Hall will remain in place.  
• Closure of Park Street and Vernon Street between 10.30am and midnight, Monday to Sunday and 7am to midnight on Friday and Saturday, enforced via automatic bollards located along Park Street, adjacent to its junction with Turner Street / Shawcross Fold and fixed bollards located at the junction of Vernon Street / Turner Street.  
• The closure of Mealhouse Brow to traffic at all times. Cycle and pedestrian access will be maintained. 
• The closure of St Petersgate to through traffic at the St Petersgate bridge over Little Underbank, with a through route for pedestrians and cyclists maintained. A pocket park is proposed on the closed section of St Petergate. South of the closure, there will be no changes to restriction introduced to vehicle movements on Petersgate/ St Petersgate, with access to the Merseyway Car Park being unaffected by the proposals; 
• The closure of Bridge Street, Great Underbank and Little Underbank west of Royal Oak Yard to Great Underbank from 10.30am to midnight Mon - Sun; 
• The introduction of automatic bollards to enforce the existing restriction of Little Underbank east of Royal Oak Yard from 10.30am and to 4pm Mon – Sun. East of Royal Oak Yard, Little Underbank will become two-way for vehicles between 4pm and midnight. 
• The provision of a marked out cycle lane to allow cyclists to travel in the opposite direction to general traffic, making St Petersgate two-way for cycling. St Petersgate to remain one-way for vehicles. Changes to parking, taxi and loading bays are also proposed on St Petersgate. 
• The introduction of a traffic light controlled junction at the Piccadilly/ St Petersgate junction to  improve walking and cycling access at the junction.   

A plan showing an overview of the proposals and how they link into the wider walking and cycling route:

View drawing in a new window.

How can I give my views on the proposed changes?

We would like to hear your views on the proposals.  

You can find out more about the proposals and how they may affect you, as well as comment on the proposals by the following methods:

Online:

By filling out the consultation on the following pages

By email:

marketsunderbanksaccessplan@stockport.gov.uk

By phone (voicemail only. Please leave a message with your name, number and a brief description of your enquiry and we will return your call.):

0161 474 2299

By visiting the team outside the Market Hall in the Market Place on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, October 7 - 1pm to 5pm
• Saturday, October 9 – 10am to 2pm
• Thursday, October 14 – 9am to 1pm
• Friday, October 15 - 9am to 1pm 

The closing date for responses is October 24th 2021.

Please contact us if you require this survey in an alternative format.

Next steps

Responses to this consultation will be considered as part of the scheme development and approval process prior to any implementation.

Find more about active travel across Stockport here.