PARKING problems on Pownall Park are set to come to a head as angry residents clash with council officials at an 11th hour meeting.

The leafy estate’s homeowners feel threatened by a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which would bring in one-hour waiting bays with single yellow lines across the roads covering the former land of Pownall Hall.

But opinion is divided between locals and the situation, already at boiling point, may bubble over at the next meeting of Pownall Park Residents’ Association on May 6.

The officer in charge of the parking changes, area traffic engineer Rob Kramer plans to attend the gathering to gauge public opinion of his TROs with certain residents not best pleased.

Solicitor Paul Scholefield and Middlesbrough-born Rob McCloughlin, who both live on Carrwood Road, are spearheading a campaign get the TROs, which will affect the whole town centre, looked at in a public inquiry.

The friends have analysed Macclesfield Borough Council’s highways committee minutes over the last few years and claim that the TRO for Pownall Park is "bizarre".

Paul said: "On the face of it, what they are implementing is the opposite of their proposed local framework for dealing with TROs from 2004.

"There are inconsistencies and the motion is completely at variance with the council’s own policy. There was no hard data collected before deciding on the TROs just a leading questionnaire with stupid questions like ‘What are your problems?’."

The Carrwood Road two have also fired off Freedom of Information requests to Cheshire East about the TROs calling their findings "interesting and alarming".

Rob McCloughlin said: "If Rob Kramer had referred to it (council policy) and kept it foremost in his mind we wouldn’t be where we are today.

"This town has a problem but they won’t do anything but paint lines. It needs something to change that. This council has failed people for years by just shifting cars around the town and not solved the problem.

"The answer is a completely different approach. Architects with vision could transform Broadway Meadow into an office development with a piazza and a huge multi-storey car park fitting of one of the richest towns in one of the richest counties in England."

The TROs are not cast in stone and Cheshire East officer Rob Kramer is intending to use the publication of the TROs at the end of May as a 21-day consultation into public opinion when he wants ALL comments again, even people who gave their opinions in the original consultation last September.

He said: "If you get a large group of objectors then you rethink the TROs through. We are trying to limit parking outside residential properties, and address issues that have been burning away for years."

Pownall Park Residents Association plans to meet on May 6 to discuss the TROs. Call chairman Susan Lees on 01625 529532 for time and venue.