Revealed: The Keys To A Massive Redevelopment Of Crewe

Top consultants advising Cheshire East Council have identified what they believe needs to be done to ‘unlock’ the huge potential of Crewe to become an economic powerhouse.

The council is working with partners and key stakeholders to turn the town and surrounding area into a leading player in Britain’s 21st century economy.

Now Cheshire East Council’s consultants have identified how the council and other partner agencies can unlock what they see as the tremendous potential of Crewe.


The five keys identified by the consultants are to:


● Radically improve strategic transport links and create a state-of-the-art broadband internet network;


● Develop a more diversified ‘knowledge economy’ that attracts and keeps hi-tech firms and skilled workers;


● Enhance the attractiveness of Crewe as a place to live and work – including boosting schools and local transport;


● Develop key underutilised sites – including the Basford East investment site, Crewe rail station and the town centre


● Improve the town’s public image and leadership.


The move follows the announcement that a revamped Crewe train station and town centre will be at the heart of several major projects planned to revitalise Crewe and surrounding region over the next 20 years.


Attracting more educated, skilled and ambitious workers to Crewe would boost the economy and be central to plans for the town to become a dynamic regional centre by 2030.


Cheshire East Council Leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: "This is a very exciting time for Crewe and Cheshire East as a whole. Now we need to galvanise the whole community – and get beyond party politics – to help make this ambitious vision a reality.


"We all need to work together with commitment to ensure Crewe becomes more dynamic, forward thinking and a better place to live and work and visit."


The draft options, due to be completed shortly, are the result of work commissioned by Cheshire East Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), involving leading agencies, organisations and employers in partnership with consultants SQW.


Cheshire East Council will consult the community further on what key projects should be prioritised to meet the objectives set out by the consultants.


We will embark on extensive public consultation on the proposals from September, which will include public exhibitions and opportunities for people to give their feedback on development ideas.


Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “In the current economic climate there will be less public funding over the next few years. However, the extensive work that has been carried out over the past six months will place us in a much stronger position and provide a more robust business case in attracting funding from investment agencies to take forward the most important projects.


“We want local people, businesses and other organisations in Crewe to let us know what they think these are, based on the work the consultants have done to date.”


NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead said today: “The NWDA has worked closely with partners at Cheshire East to develop a sustainable vision which will build on Crewe's assets and increase economic activity in the long term.


“Crewe has huge economic potential: it enjoys an excellent infrastructure and location and can access a sizeable workforce. Public and private sector partners need to work together using these proposals as a basis for successful future economic and social development.”


The bold new vision for Crewe will build on the competitive advantage