CHESHIRE East Councillors are being asked to back a Crewe bid to become the home of Great British Railways.

In a recent announcement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps traditional railway towns were being asked to put their case forward to develop the new headquarters for Great British Railways (GBR) – the new public body responsible for running Britain's railways.

Now councillors will be asked to vote at Cheshire East's full council meeting next Wednesday (October 20) to support a bid for the GBR HQ after a notice of motion was proposed by Conservative group leader Janet Clowes and opposition transport spokesperson Cllr Mike Sewart.

"This is a unique opportunity for railway towns outside London to bid to be the home of the GBR headquarters and we believe the case for Crewe' is compelling," said Cllr Clowes.

With its iconic railway history, strategic location as "Gateway to the North" and its valuable "hub and spoke" network links to the north, west and north midlands, as well as London, Crewe is well-placed to accommodate the GBR headquarters.

Cllr Sewart added: "With HS2 and the hub station already scheduled to arrive in Crewe, together with the extended freight capacity south of the current station, Crewe is again, well positioned to meet Great British Railways operational brief."

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan has met with the Transport Secretary to put forward Crewe as a candidate.

He said: "I look forward to meeting with Cheshire East Council soon to discuss how the case for Crewe can best be developed.

"In the wider context of 'Levelling Up', HS2, and the regeneration of Crewe, developing a strong case to accommodate the GBR headquarters will bring jobs and other benefits for both Government and the wider borough of Cheshire East."

Since Mr Shapps' declaration, Cheshire East Council has started to explore the development of a bid.

But Cllr Clowes added: "Formal support from elected councillors next week, will give a clear and unequivocal 'green light' for the council's infrastructure team to start both preparing the bid and when the detailed criteria become available, to complete the final draft well within what are expected to be tight deadlines.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity for Crewe and one we must not miss."

The notice of motion calls for the council to engage directly with the Transport Secretary and prioritise the submission of a competitive bid for Crewe to host the new HQ for Great British Railways and that it works alongside Kieran Mullan, together with regional and sub-regional transport partners, to enhance and strengthen the case for Crewe.