ACTIVE travel campaigners have welcomed cycle and walking plans which could see new routes and footbridges built in Crewe to help people get around town more easily.

Cheshire East Council's Cabinet today (Tuesday) approved unanimously the implementation of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), which cover Crewe, Congleton, Macclesfield and Wilmslow.

They will form the basis for future development and planning of sustainable transport infrastructure within all the towns, but will have the greatest impact on Crewe, where a new route to Leighton Hospital and town centre cycling and walking loops will be part of the development of a low traffic neighbourhood.

The plans could see:

- A new cycle and walking route beside the A530 Middlewich Road connecting the existing off-road route between Nantwich and Crewe (up to the Rising Sun public house) with an extension that will stretch up as far as Leighton Hospital.

- A new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians built parallel to the current Earle Street bridge, connecting the town centre to the Grand Junction Retail Park.

- A route parallel to Nantwich Road across the railway, segregated for cyclists and pedestrians.

- Provision of a "green link" connecting Nantwich Road to the town centre with enhancements to the Mill Street rail bridge.

- Enhanced cycle facilities on Vernon Way and West Street.

- A link from the High Street/Vernon Way roundabout past the Crewe Lifestyle Centre towards the town centre as part of regeneration plans.

- 20mph speed limits at various locations.

Ben Wye, of ACTive Crewe Travel, says the plans "demonstrate a clear ambition to deliver sustainable and inclusive economic growth and environmental and health improvement".

While the plans are not fully funded yet - and work will not begin on the projects until money is found - they should play a big role in the future of cycling provision in Crewe and its neighbouring towns.

The Crewe travel campaigner said: "We have been campaigning for this vision for over ten years. Safe connected routes where children can walk to the shops and school in safety, and where anyone from nine to 90 can feel safe to cycle has been our long-held dream.

"We thank the council's Active Travel team, the cycle champion and councillors who made this happen."

The plans will also improve the chances of government funding for local action to "tackle the climate change emergency" and increase levels of walking and cycling, say active travel campaigners.

Mr Wye added: "The plans for Crewe are the most ambitious of all Cheshire East towns, reflecting the need and potential for active travel.

"It will join up existing routes, provide safe walking and cycling paths to connect key locations such as the town centre, rail station and Leighton Hospital. It includes cycle and footbridges over the railway lines that currently make direct journeys across town difficult."

At the Cabinet meeting, the move was welcomed by Cllr Suzie Akers Smith, Cheshire East's cycling and walking champion, who called it a "a monumental day".

The authority's Deputy Leader Cllr Craig Browne said that while it was not mandatory to prepare LCWIPs, The Department for Transport had made it clear that those councils who have such plans "will be well placed to make the case for future investment".

"The government has also made it clear that its preference is to fund 'shovel ready' schemes, but all Cheshire East schemes will be subject to further design work and public consultation prior to implementation," said Cllr Browne.

Conservative opposition leader Cllr Janet Clowes said she had concerns whether the plans addressed "rural-urban interface".

She said: "I think it would be valuable to see that urban centres are not segregated from their rural neighbours.

"There is also a focus on cycling and not walking. There are some really exciting things here but also some disappointment as I would expect some [work] on improving walking routes into and out of towns."

But the deputy leader said that each town would see provision for cycling and walking.