Council considers new rail station as part of ‘Greater Crewe’ vision

Cheshire East Council is to carry out further work to explore how transport connectivity in and around the Leighton area of Crewe could be improved.

The work will consider how the transport options in that part of the town can connect with the wider transport network and support the council’s Greater Crewe plans.

‘Greater Crewe’ will bring together major investments in transport, health, infrastructure, housing and economic development into a single plan.

The council recently completed a small study to assess whether a new railway station in the Leighton area is a realistic option – recognising the benefits it could deliver to improve rail accessibility, support current and future housing growth and encourage more sustainable travel choices.

The study found that a new railway station is a viable option and should be considered as one of a range of transport options for the Leighton area.

Following a decision by the council’s cabinet member for highways and transport , further work will now be carried out to establish the best mix of transport for the area and will consider rail, bus, road and active travel options such as walking, cycling and wheeling.

It will provide the council with the information needed to progress the project towards delivering the best transport solution.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Leighton is an area that’s already seen a large amount of growth over recent years and it is set to grow further, with the new £1.4bn Leighton Hospital development at the heart of this. It’s also adjacent to Bentley Motors, which is an extremely important manufacturer for our area.

“It’s therefore crucial that we look ahead to consider what infrastructure our communities will need in the years ahead.

“The next phase of our work will look at the full range of transport solutions and test which options can best support our communities, improve connections, encourage sustainable travel and enable future growth.

“A new railway station may be a key part of that solution, but it’s one of a number of options being considered and there is a long way to go before any final decisions are made.”

The work will be carried out alongside the development of evidence to support the council’s new Local Plan, which will guide planning decisions across the borough, shaping how Cheshire East grows and develops into the 2040s.

Any decision on whether to progress a potential railway station beyond this latest work would be subject to further technical assessments, development of a business case, funding considerations, consultation with local councillors and communities, and future council decision-making processes.