Retractable bollards could be installed next to a natural beauty spot in Stockport to stop cars being left and rubbish dumped, councillors have said.

Concerns are growing about 'abandoned cars and nuisance parking' next to the historic canal locks in Marple, in an area near Marple Aqueduct.

Vehicles are being left along a road by the canal close to Aqueduct Business Park, along with waste.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported in June how residents in Marple were frustrated with the problems at the site.

There is a campaign for the historic canal locks to be considered for World Heritage status.

Councillors in Marple discussed the issues with cars and rubbish during an area committee meeting on December 3.

Marple Aqueduct, along the Peak Forest Canal (Image - Nub News)

A representative from the Canal and River Trust said it owns part of the road where the cars are being dumped.

"We've been getting quite a lot of complaints over the years regarding abandoned vehicles, nuisance parking, and what appears to be vehicles that are related to bodyshop repair businesses on the industrial estate, which are being left there as donor cars, and vehicles belonging to their customers who might not be aware their vehicle is being left there inappropriately," he added.

"We've attempted to engage with both the landlord and the tenants on that estate, and that has come to nothing unfortunately."

The Trust explained that eight months ago it removed the cars on the land 'at great expense', but said more cars have since returned to the site.

The representative added: "Some 12 per cent of my annual budget was spent on that. We did have to call the police because certain tenants of that industrial estate decided to block the road and were quite threatening to my staff, contractors and bailiffs that were present."

The Peak Forest Canal in Marple (Image - Nub News)

Stockport council was asked to support the Trust to deal with the issues.

Cllr Steve Gribbon said the vehicles are causing a 'real problem' down by the canal locks, but asked for better communication from the Canal and River Trust, which he said has not returned his calls about the issues.

It was suggested at the meeting to install 'retractable bollards' to limit vehicle access to the area, and to set up a working group to discuss the next steps.

"We've been down and seen God knows how much fly-tipping, cars that are in rack and ruin, and effectively they're mouldy because they've been there that long," Cllr Gribbon added.

The councillor also said fly-tipping is also a major issue on the road, with 'fridges, builders' waste, tyres, and old exhaust systems' left out in view.

He added: "It creates a real eyesore but it also is an attractive area for rats, it might not be food but this is where they make their shelters, it doesn't bode well because the aqueduct is an area of real natural beauty."

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