PLANS to relocate Crewe Rail Station's main entrance to Weston Road as part of the Crewe HS2 Hub development are to be discussed by councillors.

Cheshire East Council says the proposals to transform the rail interchange are part of its ambition to deliver £180 million of investment to support the town's regeneration.

The initial phase of the Crewe Hub focuses on the area immediately around Weston Road where it is proposed a station entrance and frontage will be built, including a new multi-storey car park which would replace the existing car park.

The Weston Road station entrance and car park - built on former Royal Mail buildings - were only opened in 2014 so as to provide better access to the station for motorists,

But with HS2 set to massively boost passenger growth at Crewe planners are looking ahead and as well as catering for many more vehicles with the multi-storey they want improved facilities for taxis and, potentially, buses at the new station frontage.

There will also be enhancements to Nantwich Road Bridge, including new pedestrian and cycle bridge decks to improve links between the station and town centre and promote active travel.

A series of junction improvements on the road network around Weston Road and Nantwich Road serving the Hub are also to be undertaken and a link road between Gresty Road and Weston Road is also schemed.

The programme is to be discussed at a meeting of the council's environment and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee on Monday, October 19.

Planners want to tie in the development of the Crewe HS2 Hub with the overall aim of regeneration of Crewe town centre by developing a commercial quarter around the station as well as building new homes "to tackle housing supply issues and inequalities in the town".

The council states: "The arrival of HS2 to Crewe is an important component of delivering the council's future ambitions for Crewe and the surrounding area.

"However, the arrival of the high-speed train services alone will not unlock the potential for the town or the region. Getting the right station solution for Crewe is critical to unlocking the economic, social and environmental potential of the town."

The HS2 Hub will rely on:

â— Better rail infrastructure to enable up to seven HS2 trains per hour, in each direction, to call at Crewe

â— A new rail junction known as the Crewe North Connection that would link the HS2 Phase 2b line and the existing West Coast Main Line.

â— A modernisation of Crewe Station to bring it closer in line with the standard of other HS2 stations.

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said "The arrival of an enhanced HS2 offer for Crewe will bring with it un-capped economic potential for Crewe and its town centre. Much work is being undertaken now to transform the town into something that is fit for the future.

"With nearly £180m worth of projects under development and in the pipeline, the investment in this town is significant and long-awaited for.

"This news continues the 'Crewe story' and provides a further update as to what is happening for the town.

"As a council we will be considering HS2 in more detail in November, but this update shows that we are starting to engage our scrutiny committee on it, prior to the decisions being confirmed."

The impact of the pandemic means the HS2 project is to be delivered in phases so that viability can be reviewed and costs monitored.

This week HS2 Ltd revealed plans to add extra services to northern connections from Crewe which would see between five and seven high-speed trains calling at the station a day.

A consultation on the proposals ends on December 11.

Cllr Browne added: "I would urge residents and local businesses to view the latest consultation as HS2 is one of our key steps to deliver the overall vision and will support Crewe's expansion."

Meanwhile, the council says Crewe is seeking £20.57m capital funding from government to support regeneration projects under the Future High Street Fund.

The projects have yet be formally decided upon, but will be designed to make the town more accessible, develop more in-town living and support a technology and digital innovation campus.

Cllr Nick Mannion portfolio holder for environment and regeneration, said: "These projects have been outlined as part of a business case to government and if we are successful with the funding application process they will form part of a big plan to improve Crewe overall, from its station, right into the heart of the town centre."

The HS2 consultation documents are available here.