Crewe has missed out on 'levelling up' funding for new Nantwich Road bridge enhancement scheme, aimed at improving cycling and pedestrian access to the railway station.

On Monday 21 November, the Government announced the recipients of round three of its Levelling Up Fund, with £1.1 billion awarded to projects across the country.

In previous rounds, a competitive bidding process was undertaken where local authorities bid for funding for projects.

A western enhancement scheme was estimated to cost approximately £19m, with an eastern deck enhancement scheme, approximately £10m (Ryan Parker).

However, as part of round three, the government decided to draw on the existing pool of bids from round two.

Cheshire East Council submitted two bids for Crewe in round two of levelling up bids.

Both bids were to deliver the Nantwich Road Bridge Enhancement scheme, delivering improved cycling and pedestrian access to Crewe Railway Station.

A western enhancement scheme was estimated to cost approximately £19 million, with an eastern deck enhancement scheme, around £10 million.

These bids were once again overlooked in round three, which the Levelling Up Minister described as "the final round."

The Nantwich Road Bridge Enhancement scheme aimed to improve cycling and pedestrian access to Crewe Railway Station (Ryan Parker).

Labour's parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, Connor Naismith, told Nub News: "There is a clear pattern emerging of a government that is not levelling up, but giving up, on Crewe and Nantwich.

"The scrapping of HS2, last years catastrophic mini budget, and the ongoing cost of living crisis has seen Crewe lose a once in a generation opportunity to level up and compete.

"These reckless decisions made in Westminster are being paid for by the people who live and work in our towns and villages.

"All the while, time and time again we are overlooked for public money while it is doled out to affluent areas including the Prime Minister's own constituency.

"Enough is enough. It's time for this government to be swept aside to make way for a Labour government that can give Britain it's future back."

Crewe West Labour councillor and Labour's parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, Connor Naismith (Nub News).

Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, said this development was based on Crewe becoming a HS2 hub and is focused on securing other levelling up funding.

Dr Mullan told Nub News: "Our bid for the Levelling Up Fund was based around the need to change transport around the station to support it becoming a HS2 Hub.

"As this isn't happening, we weren't in a position to lobby for that bid to be funded. I am focused on securing other funding."

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