PJA was appointed by Marple Vision Partnership to define a design framework and vision for Marple town centre, helping to reduce traffic dominance in the town and to improve facilities available to pedestrian and cyclists.

The Traffic and Street Design Strategy builds on the aspirations of Marple Vision Partnership is to rejuvenate and uplift the centre of the town, to support the vibrancy and growth of the shopping area on Market Street and Stockport Road, to improve accessibility, safety and sustainability and manage the interaction of people and traffic.

The strategy provides Marple Vision Partnership, the Civic Society and the Neighbourhood Plan Group with a set of priority measures to guide action over the coming years as opportunities come forward, to maximise the asset value and benefit of Market Street and Stockport Road, and to support the regeneration of the Marple community.

These strategy sets out a set of design objectives for the town, of which traffic and transport issues form but one part. Although all relate back to transport and movement, many overlap with economic and social aspirations for the town and its evolving identity.

The key objectives of the study are:

• To retain, support and enhance of the town centre as a retail and social focus and as a contributor to the local economy
• To retain and promote the quality as a town for visitors and residents
• To encourage more walking and cycling and to reduce dependency on private cars
• To strengthen the distinctive status of Marple as a pioneering community, able to explore and develop new approaches to local decision-making and implementation of sustainable initiatives.