08.11.17
Consultation launched on Crewe HS2 'masterplan'
Cheshire East Council is to launch a public consultation on its draft Crewe HS2 Masterplan Vision.
The announcement comes following unanimous approval by the council’s cabinet yesterday.
The document outlines the economic benefits that an enhanced HS2 hub rail station at Crewe could have on the area.
The draft vision is based on the delivery of an enhanced rail infrastructure and a hub station at Crewe, which would be capable of serving up to seven stopping HS2 trains per hour, with direct services to Manchester, Birmingham and London.
If the plan is approved, the council says that it would support the creation of almost 40,000 new jobs over the next 30 years in Crewe, as well as enhance economic growth in the surrounding towns.
It would also create a new commercial hub around the station and deliver 7,000 new homes by 2043.
Leader of Cheshire East Council, Rachel Bailey, called the arrival of HS2 “a once in a lifetime opportunity” for economic growth in Crewe and its neighbouring areas.
She said: “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.
“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.”
Frank Jordan, executive director for place at Cheshire East Council, added: “The draft masterplan vision builds on the council’s extensive track record of delivering significant infrastructure development in Crewe and set the conditions for future growth via a framework that is agile and responsive and that delivers more-integrated connectivity.
“The Crewe hub station needs to have a high-quality design that would set the standard for development in Crewe in the future and promote ‘quality of place’ in the towns and rural areas right across south Cheshire.”
Councillor Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, said: “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.”
The six-week consultation will be launched later this month as the first phase of the consultation process.
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