Politics

Crewe makes shortlist of SIX to be new British Railways headquarters

Crewe makes shortlist of SIX to be new British Railways headquarters

Crewe has made a shortlist of six towns and cities in the UK in the race to be selected as the new headquarters of Great British Railways.

It was chosen with York, Bimringham, Derby, Doncaster and Newcastle-upon-Tyne out of 42 towns and cities that applied.

July 5, 2022
Cheshire East Council seeks to update planning strategy amid HS2

Cheshire East Council seeks to update planning strategy amid HS2

Cheshire East Council is looking at developing a planning strategy for the borough that extends into the 2040s.

It says the current Local Plan needs to respond to the arrival of HS2 at Crewe and the investment opportunities it should bring.

June 30, 2022
People facing crisis turning to Cheshire East libraries, report shows

People facing crisis turning to Cheshire East libraries, report shows

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
People in crisis across Cheshire East and others needing help are turning to local libraries for support and advice.

Some vulnerable people have picked up food and others have received items such as duvets and hot water bottles after seeking help in Cheshire East libraries, according to a council document.

June 29, 2022
CEC planning backlog means months of delays on applications

CEC planning backlog means months of delays on applications

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The planning backlog at Cheshire East Council is double what it usually is and most applications are taking four to six months to determine, according to a council report.

The last two planning meetings – northern planning scheduled for June 8 and strategic planning which should have been held on June 15 – were both cancelled with no official reason given.

June 27, 2022
Cheshire PCC hits back after crime panel questions deputy role

Cheshire PCC hits back after crime panel questions deputy role

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire’s police and crime panel has asked for clarification of the deputy commissioner’s role after no-one stood in for the commissioner at an official meeting to answer questions about policing.

June 27, 2022
Cheshire East clears 4,400 fly-tipping cases without single prosecution

Cheshire East clears 4,400 fly-tipping cases without single prosecution

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council cleared 4,428 fly-tipping incidents across the borough in 12 months but did not prosecute a single person.

Fines totalling £3,400 were handed to fly-tippers in the 12-month period leading up to March 2022, a freedom of information request has revealed.

June 25, 2022
Councils urged to back Cheshire Fire call for sprinklers law

Councils urged to back Cheshire Fire call for sprinklers law

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Councils across Cheshire are being asked to back the Fire Authority’s call for sprinklers to be mandatory in some buildings such as schools, care homes and apartment blocks.

Chief fire officer Mark Cashin praised Cheshire Fire Authority (CFA) members for their work on promoting the need for sprinklers but said it was imperative the message was heard by those with the power to legislate.

June 25, 2022
New Crewe fire station plan costs rise by £375,000

New Crewe fire station plan costs rise by £375,000

By Belinda Ryan, local democracry reporter
The cost of building a new fire station in Crewe has increased by £375,000 because of soaring inflation.

The new building had been costed at £7m but that has now risen to £7.375m.

June 21, 2022
MP joins bid to have jail sentence of Joshua Spender’s killer reviewed

MP joins bid to have jail sentence of Joshua Spender’s killer reviewed

The MP for Crewe and Nantwich has written to the Attorney General calling for the jail sentence of Joshua Spender’s killer to be reviewed.

It comes as thousands have signed a petition calling for a longer jail term for William Bratton, who ploughed into Joshua on a crossing in Crewe and then sped away from the scene.

June 14, 2022
Nantwich Road Bridge Enhancement Scheme aerial masterplan

CEC eyes multi-million pound bids for Nantwich Road scheme in Crewe

Cheshire East is set to give the go ahead for two funding bids for the Nantwich Road enhancement schemes linked to the Crewe hub, writes Belinda Ryan.

The government launched the second round of bidding for the Levelling Up Fund, in March.

June 14, 2022
Healthcare worker at home visit

Soaring fuel prices increasing care worker crisis in Cheshire East

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Soaring fuel prices are adding to care worker shortages in Cheshire East as those who look after people at home struggle to pay for petrol.

The council was awarded £19.4m over two years of the pandemic to help support the care market in areas including infection control, testing and vaccination and workforce recruitment and retention.

June 14, 2022
Cheshire East Council offers more free parking days in Nantwich

Cheshire East Council offers more free parking days in Nantwich

Four free car parking days are being offered in Nantwich and other towns in a bid to boost retailers emerging from the pandemic.

A previous parking incentive scheme is due to expire on August 31 2022.

June 13, 2022
Councillors call on CEC boss to drive Middlewich Road diversion

Councillors call on CEC boss to drive Middlewich Road diversion

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Three councillors have called on Cheshire East Council’s chief executive to drive the 10.6 mile diversion route caused by A530 Middlewich Road closure to see the havoc it is causing local people.

Rachel Bailey, who represents Audlem, Margaret Simon, of Wistaston, and Patrick Redstone, of Odd Rode ward, have written to Lorraine O’Donnell saying the road closure has blocked important ambulance routes, added delays to commutes and caused disruption throughout Crewe and Nantwich.

June 11, 2022