All the Councillors in Marple North, Marple South & High Lane have been working with our public health officers to provide a safe local covid19 testing facility. To put this in context we all received this communication from Stockport Council’s Chief Executive last week, which we would like to share with you.

“Cases are occurring in all 21 wards across Stockport and we’ve jumped from 300 cases per 100,000 last week to 400 per 100,000 this week in Stockport, so we must all acknowledge that this situation is severe and requires all of us to work together to limit the damage of the virus.”

People will know the government are expanding the Covid testing capability as quickly as they can. There is an opportunity to have a walk-in testing station in Marple and we are keen this goes ahead. This will be a temporary facility set up on the Chadwick Street car park near the Carver theatre. It will operate from 8.00am – 8.00pm, seven days a week but will be strictly for appointments only, estimated to be three or four an hour. The car park provides a good entrance and exit route away from busy areas. This will take spaces from the car park but it is currently less used and it will be at the end farthest away from the shops. Access to the sorting office will be maintained. Those residents who have car park permits will still be able to use them and we are also looking at ways to restrict street parking by non residents. The car park will need to be closed for a day to allow the facility to be set up. Other locations were assessed but this is thought to be the best option. We are aware some residents have concerns, but testing stations are perfectly safe, operate under strict protection measures and will be far in excess of 2 metres away from any other people. The opportunity for Marple people to get tested without driving or going miles away is too good to miss for the health of us all. Stations in other parts of Stockport Borough are also being planned.

We hope you can all support this decision as quick and easy access to testing is a vital part of us beating this dreadful virus.

Cllr Colin Macalister, Cllr Tom Dowse, Cllr Aron Thornley, Cllr Malcolm Allan, Cllr Becky Senior Cllr Stephen Gribbon