Crewe HS2 hub moves to next stage
Cheshire East is pressing on with plans to build 3.8m sq ft of commercial space along with 3,700 new homes around Crewe station, with its area action plan set to move to a second round of public consultation.
Having already put the plans to the public earlier this year, the council is advancing with a second round of consultation, due to be held in September.
A key part of the scheme focusses on creating a commercial quarter around the station with the council’s aim to attract “knowledge-based, research, and creative-based industries” to the area; Cheshire East is looking to support the creation of 26,000 jobs with 3.8m sq ft of offices and commercial space to support this.
This primarily focusses on a plot either side of Weston Road, bordering the station then moving across Weston Road to reach Gateway Road opposite Crewe Business Park. The plot is also bordered by First Avenue.
As well as offices, the council will also look to bring forward sites for approximately 3,700 homes, focussed around Mill Street between the town centre and the railway station.
An improved retail offering in the area is also proposed with both new and re-purposed space to provide as much as 65,000 sq ft of retail and leisure; however the council has stipulated any retail offering should be convenience focussed with units of no larger than 5,300 sq ft.
These should be “complementary” to the wider offer of Crewe town centre, and will primarily be focussed on activating ground floor space in both commercial and residential developments.
Part of the plans centre around the railway station, including improved access, a southern link road bridge between Gresty Road and Weston Road to take traffic away from the station’s frontage, and better public transport and pedestrian routes; this will feature cycling routes along Nantwich Road, Macon Way, and Crewe Road among others.
The Department for Transport has already committed £9.5m of funding via Network Rail to support development at the station; this will allow it to serve between five and seven HS2 trains per hour.
The council’s vision for the station also includes a new roof and a reconfigured layout along with extended platforms.
Overall, the Crewe Hub Area Action Plan site stretches from Basford Hall sidings, across Weston Road to Second Avenue; along Gresty Road, South Street and Mill Street; and as far as Manchester Bridge along the A532.
Cheshire East’s strategic planning board is set to endorse the outline proposals next week; a public consultation will then follow in September before a final plan is agreed.
Let’s hope we all can stop this before it starts try and get the rail line we have right for half the money
By Anonymous
Sounds a good plan especially with the new houses being built . Will improve crewe greatly
By Mrs vaneeathan
There is not enough money or high enough paying jobs within the town to support the planned new commercial properties. Crewe at one time was a rich town with many thousands of skilled workers at British rail, Rolls Royce, Sheffield forge masters, ERF and Fodens. I don’t think these jobs have been replaced.
By Paul king
Very good initiative. My only hope is that transport would be improved and the commercial side of Crewe will be enhanced. We should be shopping in Crewe rather than going out to shop. Hope Primark would come.
By Lilian Thomas
What about improving hospital and doctors ,school’s first, to be able to take all the extra people this extra housing is going to create
By C carter
This is all well and good but where are all these people going to be treated in the public sectors which are already overstretched.
By Gemma
It amazing how they can find money for this when they can’t even get the local roads in good shape.
By Steve Crewe.
They have to be sure HS2 is actually going to be built.
By John
Would think people would be travelling OUT of Crewe to the south for work and buying cheap Houses to Live in Crewe if HS2 ever comes
By Suan
Where in hell is there room around Mill st to build 3,700 homes,and also develope around the Weston rd area??? It’s already gridlocked there now morning and night! Get the infrastructures rebuilt 1st!!!
By Nev Jack