RESIDENTS on the edge of Crewe are being given a chance to help shape the future of the town.

A three-week pre-planning application consultation has begun, in which people in Weston can give their views on the proposed Crewe Green Link Road scheme – a key component in the All Change for Crewe project.

The road would create an alternate bypass for Crewe, improving access to the A500 and M6 and alleviating traffic passing through the town.

Residents can visit Cheshire East Council’s website and fill in an online questionnaire to help shape this vital step in making Crewe a gateway to the north.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “The link road will unlock the potential of two major employment sites at Basford and it will facilitate the creation of up to 12,500 jobs in high-value employment over the next 20 years.

“Improvements to the currently-congested Nantwich Road corridor will be particularly notable, improving travel times and reliability.

"It will also improve road safety and reduce the impact of traffic on the local environment and community, improving air quality and reducing exposure to traffic noise and vibration.

“We are now in a position to submit a planning application by the end of this month but, before we do that, we want to hear the views of residents.”

This move comes after successful lobbying with the Department for Transport, which ensured the scheme would be retained as a priority.

Three public drop-in events, where residents can find out more about the scheme, ask any questions and raise concerns, have been arranged.

These will take place on Thursday May 12 from 2pm to 4pm at Wychwood Village Hall, from 4.30pm to 6pm at Weston Church Hall and on Thursday May 16 from 3pm to 7pm at the Lyceum Square café in Crewe.

The consultation will end on Friday May 27.

The online questionnaire can be viewed at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/allchangeforcrewe.