Emergency ambulances can now use Pyms Lane to access Leighton Hospital in Crewe - while Middlewich Road is closed.

Ward councillor Connor Naismith (Lab) said a number of improvements have already been made to help people - impacted by the lengthy road closure.

This follows criticism from residents, hospital workers and Conservative councillors about the lengthy diversion route and delays caused.

An aerial view of Bentley Motors while the NWCP work is taking place (Jonathan White).

Pyms Lane was closed permanently in 2020 when Bentley Motors expanded its campus.

Cheshire East Council approached Bentley Motors to see if the road could be reopened to emergency ambulances - until the end of the road closure.

Local councillors were informed at the end of May that Bentley Motors had agreed to reopen the road for emergency ambulances.

Cllr Naismith said: "I am confident that the highways team are looking for ways to mitigate the impact on residents.

Cllr Connor Naismith, Crewe West, Labour (Connor Naismith).

"We have already seen some of that with improved signage, changes to the closures and opening Pyms Lane for ambulances,"

"We are looking to improve communications and I think steps are being taken to ensure that happens."

Pyms Lane remains permanently closed to the public and is gated off.

Highways improvements around the north of Crewe have been planned for some time, aiming to reduce congestion.

The A530 Middlewich Road between the junctions of Pyms Lane and Smithy Lane, closed on May 9. Emergency ambulances had to drive longer routes to get to Leighton Hospital (Ryan Parker).

In a statement sent to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Labour says this will cause disruption while the works are being undertaken.

"There is a misunderstanding that the roads are being closed for 80 weeks – in fact there is a rolling programme over 80 weeks," said the statement.

"Cheshire East Council has been working with Leighton Hospital to ensure safe ambulance routes are maintained and the hospital were consulted and have not raised concerns about ambulance routes."

The councillors said several suggestions had already been made for improvements to signage and if anyone would like to make positive suggestions then these can be implemented.

Labour group leader Sam Corcoran said: "Rather than raise their concerns about highways at the highways and transport committee, the Conservatives decided to talk about roadworks at the council's audit and governance committee.

Leader of Cheshire East Council and Labour group leader, Cllr Sam Corcoran (Cheshire East Council).

"It seems they just want to play party politics rather than actually resolving issues affecting residents."

He added: "Under the Conservatives, a backlog of highways maintenance of well over £100m was allowed to develop and they ducked difficult decisions.

"The Conservatives just let the highways network fall apart.

"Now the Labour-led administration is trying to take action. Although the council has agreed to borrow £19m to invest in highways maintenance, the government has cut highways maintenance funding.

Cllr Joy Bratherton, Crewe East, Labour (Cheshire East Council).

"We really need the government to fix our funding to fix our roads."

Crewe East councillor Joy Bratherton (Lab) said, "These plans have been known about for some time – why are Conservatives only raising concerns now?

"There were briefings held recently to provide information about the road closures but none of the three Conservative councillors who have signed an open letter attended the briefing.

"We recognise that there will be disruption in the short term and we apologise for that disruption - but it is necessary in order to provide long term gain."

Three councillors called on Cheshire East's chief executive to drive the 10.6 mile diversion route through Crewe herself (Belinda Ryan).

Last week, three local Conservative councillors called on Cheshire East's chief executive to drive the 10.6 mile diversion route through Crewe herself - to see the havoc it is causing local people.

Rachel Bailey (Audlem, Con)), Margaret Simon (Wistaston, Con) and Patrick Redstone (Odd Rode, Con) all wrote to Chief Executive Lorraine O'Donnell.

The A530 Middlewich Road closure is expected to last until October/November this year.

READ MORE: Crewe Market Hall to host Young Traders Market this weekend - apply now.

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(Ryan Parker and Belinda Ryan)