A NEW £4.7 million link road between the A500 north of Shavington and the Gresty Road corridor to Crewe station has been given Government funding.

The Basford West Spine Road was handed £2.7 million backing as part of a nationwide package of £170 million to tackle ‘pinch points’ on the UK road network.

The half mile-long road will leave the A500 roundabout north of Shavington, progress through farmland, and link with B5071 Gresty Road west of railway sidings due to form the new HS2 maintenance shed.

In documents supporting the road, Cheshire East Council’s (CEC) strategic case says the highway will 'facilitate the development of the existing land in the Basford West area for retail, leisure and 500 new homes and commercial uses including rail-related development'.

It adds: “The road ensures the development and surrounding areas benefit from excellent local and strategic road links serving the towns of Crewe and Nantwich and the A500 and M6.

“It will ease movements on the existing corridor as well as offer relief to parallel corridors into Crewe such as the A5020 and Weston Road.”

Clr Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This is more excellent news for Crewe and further proves this Council’s commitment to helping this town to grow and thrive again.

“It also shows that this Government is taking Crewe seriously as a place for investment, because it recognises the town’s huge economic potential.”

Work is set to begin on the Basford spine road in spring 2014 The council say it will ‘complement’ the Crewe Green Link Road, currently planned for May 2014.

CEC is now waiting to hear whether it has been successful in applying for £2.8m to widen the B5078, which leads to the M6 at junction 16 Barthomley.