CHESHIRE East Council's plans to dual the A500 near Crewe have taken a major step forward.

The £68.7 million scheme has cleared a big hurdle by securing programme entry and an allocation of £53m from the government, subject to final approval.

The project would see a 3.4km section of the A500 between the M6 at junction 16 and Meremoor Moss roundabout dualled. It is currently the only stretch of the A500 corridor that is single carriageway.

Cllr Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council deputy leader and cabinet member for strategic transport, said: "This is a big achievement and great news for the borough. Dualling this section of the A500 is a major project, designed specifically to improve traffic flow and connectivity and would complete the dualling of this key route.

"The scheme will address existing congestion issues at peak times, increase network resilience and improve safety. It will also facilitate the development of key strategic sites in our Local Plan and secure future economic growth in and around Crewe, particularly from the construction and operation of HS2 and a HS2 hub station.

"The A500 is a key piece of infrastructure that links Crewe and surrounding areas to the M6 and across the important A50/ A500 corridor."

The proposals would see Meremoor Moss roundabout enlarged to create additional capacity. Where local roads cross the A500, at Barthomley Road and Radway Green Road, bridges would be lengthened to accommodate the wider road beneath.

The scheme has already received planning approval in April last year and a recent application for small amendments, following detailed design work, included a formal consultation phase.

Cheshire East Council says it will be working flat out to bring the scheme through the final approvals and start construction at the earliest opportunity.