Cheshire East Council is moving forward with its strategic plans for the regeneration of Crewe to improve the physical environment of the whole town and the wellbeing of residents.
The arrival of HS2 in Crewe creates a significant opportunity for the council and secures investment at the railway station that will unlock Crewe’s potential.
This will support wider economic growth and encourage a shift to more sustainable travel – right across Cheshire and Staffordshire – benefitting residents for the future.
The council has been pressing government since 2010 to make changes to the HS2 offer in Crewe and has achieved some significant successes, including altering the HS2 route so that trains will stop at Crewe and extending platforms.
The Prime Minister’s recent announcement around HS2 gives the council the confidence it needs to continue with its plan to secure and spend money on the town. This may include investment in infrastructure, which would unlock new employment sites and create more job opportunities, delivering the right type of housing and improving the environment. This sits alongside the council’s plans for the town centre to improve its vibrancy and economic vitality.
Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Crewe is ideally positioned and will continue to be a place that will get you to where you want to be.
“Crewe is already and will continue to be, a vital part of our Cheshire East community and economy but the work can’t stop here.
“We have ambitious plans for attracting businesses, creating a Crewe growth corridor, retaining 100% of the growth in business rates and bringing jobs to the area.
“We have received a number of significant announcements over the reason months but we believe it is critical to have a Crewe north connection on to the high-speed network and an enhanced station at Crewe – which would unlock a range of benefits, not just for Crewe but for the whole borough and wider sub-region beyond. We will continue to press government on these issues.
“We are mindful, however, of the impact HS2 will have across our borough and this council will seek to limit the disruption and pursue maximum levels of environmental, ecological and residential mitigation for those negatively affected by the scheme.
“This cabinet meeting (10 March) presents a number of papers that enable us to discuss exciting options for Crewe’s future.”
Councillors will discuss a masterplan, a number of options around the HS2 hub station and the area action plan at the cabinet meeting. Future plans will also be highlighted, such as:
● Relocation of the railway station’s main entrance to Weston Road, with new and enhanced facilities for pedestrians, cyclists, buses, taxis and cars;
● Improved access for cyclists and pedestrians at the Nantwich Road entrance;
● Help to ensure local people benefit from employment opportunities delivering and arising from HS2;
● Rationalised car parking at the station, with the proposal of a multi-storey carpark; and
● Highway and road junction improvements, including a proposed Southern Link Road Bridge.
The full agenda, masterplan and option documents can be found ahead of this public meeting on the council website at http://bit.ly/2T5Ylf7
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