Preparation works complete for 1.8 mile Crewe link road package

By Ryan Parker

1st Mar 2022 | Local News

Road works clearing the ground for Crewe's long-awaited north west link road connecting Smithy Lane, Minshull New Road and Middlewich Road have ended.

For the last month, queues of cars have snaked across the Leighton Hospital area as the road works have held up traffic between 9:30am to 3:30pm, every weekday.

But now council officers have confirmed the works - which have included clearing trees and hedges from Minshull New Road and Middlewich Road ended on 28th February as scheduled.

It means the two-year plan to build the new road – designed to improve access to Leighton Hospital and free up land to the north and south of the hospital for development – will begin this summer.

The new road is part of what Cheshire East Council has called the North West Crewe Package - costing a total sum of £42 million and approved in July 2019.

Deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Craig Brown said: "The North West Crewe Package will bring with it major benefits, not least improved connectivity between the Leighton area and Crewe and quicker routes to the hospital."

Here is the background to the scheme:

What is the 'North West Crewe' package?

It consists of highway and junction improvements made within the Leighton area of Crewe. Cheshire East Council believe the 1.8 mile stretch will reduce congestion and improve access to the town's Leighton Hospital.

The road aims to bring opportunities for local businesses to expand, creating free land for new housing developments as well as extending the walking and cycling routes to the Hospital.

A section of Minshull New Road, outside of Leighton Academy primary school will be permanently closed to traffic.

According to Cheshire East Council's website: "This creates a safer environment for children arriving and departing the school." A total of 1250 homes will be built in this scheme. 850 will be built south of Leighton Hospital in-between Middlewich Road and Minshull New Road. Another 400 homes will be built off Flowers Lane, north east of the hospital. How is the package being funded? Funding for the North West Crewe Package is made up of the following:

Central Government capital grants via the Housing Infrastructure Fund. (A contribution made by Government to cover part of the cost for housing).

The Department for Transport's National Productivity Investment Fund. (For areas that are key to boosting productivity such as transport and housing).

Local funding - council contributions, third party landowner contributions and S106 developer contributions (Financial contributions provided by the developer to pay towards the infrastructure needed).

Cheshire East Council approved the use of compulsory purchase powers to deliver the roads and infrastructure package in 2020. No buildings will be demolished, but farmland and trees will be affected. When will the full construction begin and how long will it take? The main construction work for the new road will begin in the summer of 2022. This is on the basis of statutory land agreements being in place by that time. It is expected that developers will put forward further planning applications in the near future.

This will include plans for a new primary school, places to eat and shops.

What has been said by Crewe residents about this scheme?

The majority of local people reacted positively to these plans. Mrs Aimie Parry said: "This will hopefully be so much better and safer once the work is done, stopping people parking outside the hospital entrances."

There was a negative response from some, raising issues about traffic concerns, particularly on Bradfield Road. Mrs Lesley Bratt from Leighton said: "Seems like Bradfield Road will be even busier, they have not taken that area into account, or plan to put any traffic calming schemes or speed cameras in."

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