New hospital infrastructure work begins next month

Essential critical infrastructure work will begin next month as part of Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s ambitious programme to create a health and care neighbourhood in Crewe, centred around the development of the new Leighton Hospital.

To facilitate the future construction of the hospital, on land located north of the existing Leighton Hospital, SP Energy Networks (SPEN) will install high-voltage electrical cabling along several key routes in the surrounding area. 

The six-month programme, outlined below, has been co-ordinated in close partnership with Cheshire East Council, and is designed to minimise disruption to the local community. A comprehensive traffic management plan has been developed by SPEN and its contractor Opus Utility Solutions, to help maintain traffic flow throughout the duration of the works: 

• Brian Palin Way: Friday 6 June to Thursday 3 July – Road closure with associated traffic lights on Totty’s Hall Way 

• Tottys Hall Way: Monday 30 June to Friday 25 July – Two-way traffic lights 

• Tottys Hall Way (junction with Bob Brown Way): Monday 21 July to Sunday 27 July – single file traffic roundabout 

• Bob Brown Way: Monday 28 July to Sunday 17 August – Road closure from Tottys Lane Road roundabout to Flower’s Lane roundabout 

• Flowers Lane south section: Monday 18 August to Tuesday 26 August – Road closure from Bob Brown Way roundabout to Bradfield Road roundabout 

• Flowers Lane north section (phase one): Monday 8 September to Friday 31 October – Road closure from Bob Brown Way roundabout to the Leighton Hospital staff car park entrance  

• Flowers Lane north (phase two): Monday 8 September to Friday 31 October – Road closure from Middlewich Road roundabout to the Leighton Hospital staff car park entrance 

Please note: all dates may be subject to change. Any changes will be communicated in advance. The date given for the two phases on Flowers Lane (Monday 8 September to Friday 31 October) are for the entirety of the works on that road. The work will take place one after the other, not at the same time. Dates for each phase will be confirmed closer to the time. 

Assurances have been provided that patient and blue light access will be maintained at all times. Pedestrian and cycle access will also remain open throughout the works. 

Russ Favager is the Trust’s Board Senior Responsible Officer for Leighton New Hospital Programme and Estates Redevelopment. He said:

“We recognise these works may affect local journeys and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. This preparatory infrastructure programme is a vital early stage in delivering one of the largest and transformational health projects seen in Cheshire for decades.  

“We are fully committed to being open and transparent about the programme and will publish regular and timely updates about the work to ensure local residents, staff and patients are kept well informed with as much advanced notice as possible.” 

Visit the roadworks page on the Trust’s website for up-to-date travel information during the works. 

In addition, the Trust has been advised that Cheshire East Council will undertake a separate programme of road surface dressing, starting in May and running through into the summer, with a series of road closures. 

Full details about these works can be found on the council’s website. 

Pictured - Leighton Hospital.