Crewe's new edge of town police station has been given the green light despite concerns for pedestrian safety, with calls for a bridge over the 40mph road.

Cheshire Constabulary plan to build a two-storey office building and deployment base on land to the west of David Whitby Way at Basford East.

The scheme was recommended for approval by Cheshire East's planning officers who said, although there were issues with it, they recognised the building had to comply with Home Office guidelines.

A CGI of what the new Crewe Police Deployment Base, off David Whitby Way, will look like (Corstorphine & Wright).

Deputy Police Commissioner Gemma Southern said the new building was needed to replace the existing station.

"The current station in Crewe town centre is 60 years old, and functionality and layout is no longer fit for purpose for operational policing," she told yesterday's (Wednesday) meeting of the strategic planning board.

And she assured councillors a police hub would be opened for the public in Crewe town centre before the existing station closed.

But several concerns were raised about the new out-of-town police base.

In a statement read out at the meeting, Weston and Crewe Green Parish Council expressed 'extreme concern' regarding the proposed pedestrian crossing facilities on David Whitby Way, saying the road was, in its view, a 'potential death trap'.

The parish council called for a pedestrian bridge over the busy road.

Highways officer Paul Griffiths said there would be two crossings with lights either side of the roundabout.

"There's a possibility that the speed limit where the crossings are provided will be reduced," he said.

Weston and Crewe Green Parish Council expressed 'extreme concern' regarding the proposed pedestrian crossing facilities on David Whitby Way, saying the road was, in its view, a 'potential death trap' (CEC Planning).

He added a footbridge was never deemed to be practical or affordable.

Cllr Hannah Moss (Mobberley, Conservative), was worried about the safety of children playing outside if police vehicles would be leaving the new station at speed.

"I haven't been 100 per cent satisfied by the answers I've had on the highways concerns I have around around safety," she said.

Cllr Steve Edgar (Haslington, Conservative) said:: "I was concerned about the pressure being put on that one pedestrian crossing with somewhere in the region of 700 houses, an industrial estate, a school, a hub, and potentially a supermarket coming on this site in the future.

"Having now found out that there are two pedestrian crossings planned and also a restriction on speed on David Whitby Way, I am far more comfortable with the application."

But Knutsford councillor Stewart Gardiner (Conservative), said: "There are a number of points that [planning] officers have raised, saying they have concerns over the design, car parking, the lack of landscaping, the fact that they cannot connect the desired active travel route that we have worked so hard to secure…

"I feel there are still too many issues here before us that, were this any applicant other than Cheshire Constabulary, the recommendation would be to refuse."

A new police hub will be opened for the public in Crewe town centre before the existing Civic Centre station closes (Ryan Parker).

Cllr Heather Seddon (Congleton, Labour), moved the application be approved saying: "I'm in favour. We need to move with the times, a police force needs modern facilities."

It was seconded by Crewe councillor Marilyn Houston (Labour).

Nine councillors voted to approve the application and two voted against.

READ MORE: OPPORTUNITY: Sing with John Barrowman on stage this Christmas in Crewe.

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