A new road layout off the M6 motorway at junction 16 near Crewe, would unlock the potential for new jobs and improved wealth in the area. The works are intended to improve access to the Basford West site to the south of Crewe, which is owned by the developer Goodman.
The Council have pledged to support Goodman in bringing forward this important investment for Crewe.
Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member in charge of prosperity and economic regeneration, said: “Basford West is a key investment site in Crewe that will eventually deliver jobs for the town as a key part of the Council’s ‘All Change for Crewe’ programme.
“Cheshire East Council and Goodman, are working hard to put in place the necessary highway agreements, which would then allow Goodman to fund and deliver the road works.”
The proposals for the new road layout, costing several million pounds, are now being considered by the Highways Agency in Birmingham and work could start as early as this autumn and could last for nine months.
Councillor Rod Menlove, Cabinet member in charge of the environment, added: “Our highways team has worked hard to achieve an approved design.
“I will now be writing to the local MP, Edward Timpson, for his support in making the design approval at junction 16 a priority.
“With the Highways Agency approval in place, the Council will do everything it can to assist Goodman to begin the works as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption.
“But, inevitably with work of this scope, there would be periods of disruption and so there would be measures taken, such as night-time working, diversions and local traffic management arrangements.”
Goodman secured planning permission to develop the site as a logistics and employment hub back in 2008.
The planning permission requires Goodman to upgrade the motorway slip roads and roundabout at junction 16 and widen the A500 approach from Crewe to deal with increased traffic from the development site.
The design proposals include:
- Improved and widened slip roads off the M6 at junction 16;
- Traffic lights to better manage traffic flow around the junction 16 roundabout, with the roundabout widened to three lanes;
- Provision of additional lanes on the A500 approach to junction 16 over a length of approximately 600 metres;
- There would also be a new built road from the A500 dual carriageway at its Shavington junction, through the Basford West site and linking into the B5071, Gresty Road.
Jenny Moten, the Highways Agency asset development manager for the midlands region, said: “Facilitating growth is a key priority for the Highways Agency and we are therefore looking forward to working with the Council and Goodman to enable the project to start.”
Ian Pritchard, development director for Goodman, said: “We welcome the commitment from the Council and the Highways Agency to assist us in moving our development plans forward.
“Market conditions continue to be challenging over the period since we received our planning approval back in 2008.
“But, with a planning framework and highways approvals in place, we believe we will be in a position to commit to the highway works over the coming months.”
1 comment:
As a recent visitor to Crewe town,from Kent, I was appalled at the state of the minor roads. It is all very well spending money on new major road infastructures, but if the residents cannot travel along the minor roads in their town without having to avoid all the pot holes, etc. and avoid having damage to their vehicles, let alone cyclists and motorcylists avoiding accidents to themselves, then I think the Highways Agency needs to get its house in order before committing to something else.
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