Cheshire East Council welcomes Rail Minister

Cheshire East Council welcomed Minister of State for Rail and HS2, Huw Merriman MP, to Crewe this week.

They discussed the authority’s ambitions for the local area, as well as the key challenges and opportunities for regeneration. 

The visit on Tuesday (8 August) follows on from the package of commitments the council secured from HS2 Ltd and the Government earlier this year – which will provide a better outcome for Cheshire East and its communities from the arrival of High Speed Rail – and the announcement from the Minister in May that he is to work across Government to ‘try to boost the ambitions for Crewe’ and ‘make sure HS2 leaves an ambitious legacy there’.

The Minister was given a tour of Crewe station where some of the key concerns and opportunities with the current facilities on offer were highlighted. 

This includes the need for a new passenger transfer deck to make it easier for people, including those who are disabled, to access platforms and to change between trains at Crewe.

There was also a stop off in the town centre where the council’s future ambitions for HS2 and its plans for Crewe’s regeneration – which includes improving links between the station and town centre for pedestrians and cyclists – were discussed, as well as the projects that have already been completed, including the ever-popular Market Hall.

Finally, the Minister’s visit, which was also joined by Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan, included a visit to Avanti’s Training Academy and Locomotive Services Group at Crewe Diesel Depot.

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of its highways and transport committee, said:

“I am pleased to have welcomed the Minister to Crewe. 

“The project is a scheme that is being designed, funded, and delivered by HS2 Ltd on behalf of central Government; however, the council has carried out - and continues to carry out - a wide range of work to influence the proposals where it can – seeking to ensure that what is delivered also brings with it the best possible outcomes for Cheshire East and its communities.

“Through this work we have already achieved many successes, and the visit from the Minister earlier this week presented further opportunity to discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing Crewe and the wider area, and how those opportunities can be maximised.

“It also enabled the Minister to see first-hand why it was critical that through the HS2 Phase 2b petitioning period, the council secured a commitment directly from Government to fund an extensive appraisal to consider what work is required at Crewe Station to support HS2.

“This appraisal will consider the interventions needed at the station to address both the needs of the passenger and the regeneration potential for the town.”