Consultation to open on HS2-linked Crewe development

Cheshire East Council is to move its action plan for the area around Crewe station to the next stage of consultation, which will see plans revealed to the public in February and March.

The local authority is seeking to put in place a robust framework for development, mindful that its Local Plan, while recognising the importance of Crewe station as a transport hub, does not plan directly for HS2 and its implications.

The council’s wish is that proposals that come forward “can be prepared quickly and efficiently without the risk of issues far outside Crewe sidetracking the programme”.

In the autumn, Cheshire East, which continues to campaign for a full HS2 station for Crewe, held a four-week “issues” consultation to help inform the development strategy, which it refers to as a stepping stone to the “publication plan”.

The key policy principles for C-SHAAP – the Crewe Station Hub Area Action Plan – include:

  • Improving accessibility to the Crewe Hub Station
  • Facilitating transport interchange
  • Improving linkages between the town Centre and station
  • Maximising the opportunities derived from 5-7 trains per hour
  • Integrating development around the station with the rest of Crewe
  • Safeguarding Crewe’s railway & built heritage

The strategy sub-divides the plan into six potential development parcels for which spatial policies and principles are drawn up.

Foremost amongst these are: Crewe Commercial Hub / Station Central, including The Weston Road gateway, which will see the creation of a new main entrance to the station, alongside supporting facilities and transport interchange.

Opposite this will be the new Crewe commercial district – a business location capitalising on the enhanced connectivity afforded by the upgraded station. This area, says the report compiled for councillors, “will be characterised by landmark buildings and higher density development”.

North West Link: a revamped commercial and residential area focussing on a direct link between Nantwich Road and the town centre via Mill Street bridge – it is in this area that a retail-led development was last month approved by CEC. Attention will be given to preserving and integrating heritage assets in this area.

Gresty Road Gateway: this area will safeguard a potential future pedestrian entrance directly into the station from the Gresty Road side, with scope for additional development to complement the retained Crewe Alexandra stadium and improved public realm.

As HS2 is likely to see a marked increase in passenger numbers using the station, accessibility is also on the agenda. The strategy proposes a “corridor of exploration” for a new high capacity road bridge located to the south of Crewe station, carrying through-traffic away from the congested station front.

JBA Consulting has worked with CEC on the proposals, while Mott MacDonald has been engaged on the bridge project, recommending a multiple-span bridge linking Gresty Road in the west to Weston Road on the east, with up to three pies within the railway corridor. No tracks need be realigned as part of the preferred proposal. Options are put forward for either a truss, cable-stay or bow-string arch bridge.

Alongside the bridge part of the transport plan, Nantwich Road could be amended to improve the environment for pedestrians, with the ratio of pavement to road being changed.

CEC’s strategic planning board meets on 30 January.

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

They’ll have to go back to the drawing board once HS2s real plan is let out of the bag. In the meantime, money will be spent.

By Mike

Really interested in the pie related plans within the railway corridor!

By EL

Whole project is a farce! Scrap it now!

By HSNO

Never going to happen

By Anonymous

It’s happening so get over it ! Im working in London now on the HS2 project so people who think it’s never going to happen need to get there facts right , there are thousands of men and women employed on the railway from Crewe me being one of them , this will keep us all in work for many years to come , also will be great for the town as it’s a dieing town at the moment

By Steven

@Steven ye right Steve and i live in the White House

By Anonymous

Who controls the budget for HS2 and will it be affected by any adverse economic results or limitations in lieu of the current confusion over Brexit?

By Mr Porter.

Steven there are rumblings that after Birmingham it will be cancelled. Do you know different?

By Elephant

All for it, crack on…

By Deja

I hope it does get cancelled after Birmingham, it would be very good for Birmingham.

By Coco

I have tried to keep myself informed on the schedule and the way this hs2 scheme will progress to a final good or even satisfactory Conclusion. I live quite Near to where the hs2 will pass and I am very concerned about the changes of minds and planning proposals forwarded. And yes, will it happen and will it be worth all the disruption and costs in the end.

By Paul

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