Cheshire East Council is to consider proposals for a package of road schemes, including a new spine road and junction improvements, which would unlock key sites for business, jobs and housing in north-west Crewe.

Plans for the ‘North West Crewe Package’ are about to go public and would also provide an important new route to Leighton Hospital.

Cheshire East Council’s strategic infrastructure team is about to unveil the plans in detail at a number of public engagement events to be held in March.

Residents, businesses and all other interested parties are invited to give their feedback to the council.

Improvements would be carried out to associated junctions to provide access to development land.

The highways project represents yet another significant step in the council’s strategy for the regeneration of Crewe in preparation for the arrival of HS2 in 2027. The package of road schemes would be subject to the statutory planning process later this year.

A new highway, almost two miles long, would be constructed between Smithy Lane and Minshull New Road, unlocking several sites for much-needed housing and employment development. It would also connect with the A530 Middlewich Road to the north.

Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan Strategy outlines the need to build 7,700 homes and provide 65 hectares of employment land in Crewe up to 2030. The North West Crewe Package identifies two development sites – Leighton West and Leighton. They offer potential development for 1,350 homes plus five hectares of employment land, as well as creating a new local neighbourhood hub, incorporating nursery, school and community facilities.

The highways package would include significant improvements to the local road network to meet the additional demands generated by the growth in housing and business. These would include building a series of roundabouts and new junctions.

A further key feature of the scheme is the delivery of improved access to Leighton Hospital for emergency vehicles, staff and visitors. Once completed, it would also offer close connections to HS2 at Crewe.

Frank Jordan, Cheshire East Council’s executive director for place, said: “This is an important public engagement process and we hope that as many people as possible will take part and give us their feedback.

“The scheme, if approved, would help to support the expansion of local businesses and commercial development opportunities, creating jobs. It would also open up strategic housing land, as well as create a new emergency route to and from Leighton Hospital.

“This scheme represents a further element of the whole Crewe regeneration package in preparation for the arrival of HS2 high-speed rail in 2027.”

Funding for the North West Crewe Package would come from the National Productivity Fund (£5m) and the Housing Infrastructure Fund (£10m) with the balance coming from developer contributions and Cheshire East Council.

*A four-week public engagement will include three public exhibitions: 13 March 2018 – Legends Health and Conference Centre, Bentley Motors, Sunnybank Road 2 – 8pm 17 March 2018 – Leighton Academy, Minshull Road 10am – 3pm 22 March 2018 – Legends Health and Conference Centre, Bentley Motors, 2 – 8pm To provide feedback on the proposals, further information will be made available from 5 March at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/nwcp The public engagement begins 5 March and ends 3 April 2018 and any comments received after the 3 April will NOT be included in the engagement process.