CHESHIRE East Council says it is talking to landowners about the development of a cycling route in Leighton.

The plans are part of a £2.8m spend on walking and cycling routes, which also include another scheme in Wilmslow, aimed at encouraging people to leave their cars on the drive to improve health.

In Crewe, the A530 scheme will support the north west Crewe roads package which is designed to unlock land to build 1,350 new homes. They include a north-south spine road; a realigned Smithy Lane and an east-west link road from the A530 to the new spine road; and a series of junction improvements.

The leisure route is aimed at improving walking and cycling links to Bentley Motors, Leighton Hospital and Leighton Academy.

The council is responding to calls for safer cycle routes, which also offer a pleasant environment for pedestrians. Both schemes form part of a policy to promote active travel, reducing car dependency and our carbon footprint.

Councillor Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member for highways and waste, said: "Our ambition is to improve walking and cycling facilities across the borough by investing in high-quality infrastructure to provide safe and attractive routes connecting local amenities and places of work.

"Our 2017 cycling strategy sets a target to double the number of people cycling at least once per week by 2027. If there is one upside from the pandemic, it is that more people have taken up cycling, either to commute to work or for leisure."

Cheshire East has set a budget of £2.8m and has £1.6m in grant funding confirmed from Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership. Developer contributions and funding from the council will be required to meet the balance.

The council says it is hopeful of acquiring all the land required without the need to compulsorily purchase. The Crewe scheme has already received positive feedback from a consultation carried out last year.