Views sought on Crewe’s HS2 Masterplan Vision

Cheshire East Council is launching a six-week public consultation over its draft Crewe HS2 Masterplan Vision.

The document will serve as a strategic framework and show how existing regeneration plans for the town could be built upon through future development, investment and infrastructure improvements, maximising the economic benefits of an enhanced HS2 hub rail station.

The vision will, if approved, be used to develop detailed plans and policies for key investment areas, from the town centre to the areas surrounding the existing station.

The draft Masterplan Vision is based on the Government’s decision to deliver both enhanced rail infrastructure and a hub station in Crewe that can serve up to seven stopping HS2 trains per hour, including direct services to Manchester, Birmingham and London.

The proposals would support the creation of nearly 40k jobs in Crewe over the next 30 years, in addition to a 3.8 million sq ft commercial hub near the station and around 7,000 homes by 2043.

Cllr Ainsley Arnold, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, said: “The draft masterplan vision presents the prospect of a very exciting future for Crewe and builds on the successful town centre regeneration already in action.

“As a town built on the back of the Victorian investment in the railway, a successful framework for growth through a masterplan vision will ensure the town equally benefits from this next high-speed rail revolution.”

Cheshire East Council Leader Rachel Bailey commented: “The arrival of HS2 at Crewe by 2027 provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver nationally significant transformational economic growth and regeneration – not only to Crewe, but the whole of the sub-region.

“A fully-connected HS2 Crewe hub is a key aim of this council in order to maximise the enormous economic benefits this project will deliver to the whole sub-region and beyond. It reflects a plan-led approach to growth for Cheshire East and our partners.”

She continued: “But Crewe needs to be HS2 ready. These huge potential benefits can only be delivered with the right masterplan framework in place for Crewe before the arrival of HS2. That is why we have produced this draft masterplan vision document which will undergo full public consultation.”