The Crewe HS2 regeneration project took a major step forward after councillors approved a host of proposals at cabinet, writes Ethan Davies.
Cheshire East councillors voted to submit a town investment plan and bid to the government for a slice of the towns fund — as well as commission “detailed designs for Crewe Hub Station”.
Presenting the recommendations, CEC deputy leader Cllr Craig Browne said: “This is probably the largest strategic regeneration project the council will ever be involved in.
“I am delighted to present this report. I would like to say that the revised scheme simply [alters] the construction delivery over a series of phases of development.
“Part of that is to limit the maximum financial exposure the council faces and to minimise the party land requirements.
“HS2 is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of Crewe to unlock the potential of Crewe.”
Cllr Nick Mannion, portfolio holder for environment and regeneration, added: “This is one of the council’s key priorities to allow Crewe’s residents to lead healthy and successful lives.”
The cabinet also officially accepted government grants to support the Ly2 project and high street revamp.
It also gave permission for CEC officers to “agree terms with Network Rail and Avanti West Coast for the release of land necessary to deliver the scheme”, and “negotiate and agree a funding deal with Government and Avanti West Coast to secure the necessary funding to deliver the revised initial scheme”.
Revisions were forced on to the council after projections on the economic impact of Covid-19 would see the authority lose out on business rate collections from businesses attracted to the town by the opening of the railway.
In turn, this required CEC had to ‘phase’ construction to cover itself off from financial risk — but also means the station’s completion could only come at the end of the 2020s.
So an Almost Identical Failure, to the New Shops (Cattle Sheds) Built in Northwich?