Valley Brook Corridor Active Travel Scheme

Proposed Active Travel Improvements (PDF, 2MB)

We are considering two options for the road layout on Electricity Street and Alton Street:

Option A – The preferred option is to make the roads one-way westbound (from east to west) and introduce a 20mph speed limit. Electricity Street and Alton Street would remain accessible to buses and all vehicles travelling westbound from Edleston Road towards Queens Park.

Proposed one-way traffic along Electricity Street and Alton Street (PDF, 3MB)

Along Electricity Street and Alton Street, as part of the design for option A, the following improvements, which may include resurfacing or patching works as required and are subject to available budget;

• The road carriageway surface,
• The north side pavement along the length of the route, and
• The south side pavement from Edleston Road to Stamford Avenue

This option would provide formal vehicle parking bays along Electricity Street and Alton Street to make parking for residents easier and safer, and improving the flow of traffic. This scheme also provides high quality on-road cycling facilities following the flow of traffic westbound, and improved segregated facilities for cyclists travelling eastbound.

This option has the benefit of reducing vehicle speed to 20mph, making the area safer for pedestrians and improving the air quality through reduced traffic.

Option B – This alternative option would leave the roads open for two-way traffic, but remove all on street parking for residents and visitors to facilitate improved shared use walking and cycle facilities. The provisions would be of a lower standard than option A, with pedestrians and cyclists having to use the same space.

Include a north sign

Making Electricity Street and Alton Street one-way will impact on the current eastbound bus route of the number 8 bus. While this may change your journey to and from the bus stop, we are working with the bus operator to find a suitable alternative that serves the community. The final bus route would be subject to decisions made by the bus operator, in conjunction with Cheshire East Council.

The two links below show some potential routes the bus could take. Whilst the decision won’t be finalised until the bus operator has time to understand the benefits of the potential routes, we wanted to share them with you so we could understand any concerns you may have with the changes proposed.

• Potential Bus Route X for the number 8 bus (PDF, 3MB)
• Potential Bus Route Y for the number 8 bus (PDF, 3MB)

Include the planning-application and land ownership boundaries

Where the funding allocation allows, the project aims to also deliver further priority enhancements along the Valley Brook Corridor including:

• Active travel routes through parks and open spaces, known as ‘potential leisure route options’, as these areas are primarily aimed at pedestrians but could potentially be accessed by leisure cyclists;
• Environmental improvements to the Valley Brook river itself in Valley Park to complement the improvements already made in Tipkinder Park;
• Improvements along the ‘potential leisure route options’ with the installation of, for example, planters, seating areas, new directional signage and historical / environmental information boards; and,
• Improvements to the existing path to the South of Wistaston Road to improve access to Walthall Street.

Whilst the existing funds are unlikely to cover all of these improvements, the Council will work with partners to look at other or future funding sources that could support delivery of the overall aims of the Scheme. However, your views on where you would like funding to be prioritised will help shape the initial project.

See information on the previous work proposed by the Environment Agency.

There are three areas we are currently considering for improvements;

1. Improvements to existing path to the East of Walthall Street connecting to Wistaston Road (Leisure Route 1)

There is an existing path that connects Walthall Street to Wistaston Road – opposite the entrance to Valley Park. Despite being steep, it is well used by pedestrians accessing Dunwoody Way and the Town Centre. Whilst little could be done to change the steepness of this route, the path could be upgraded to make it more level and a more attractive route to take.

2. Improvements to Valley Park (Leisure Route 2)

This element proposes to deliver enhancements to the park such as providing new benches, planters and landscaping as well as environmental enhancements through improvements to the river itself to encourage wildlife back into the channel. Alongside this, a separate project (Pocket Parks - We Are All Crewe) is proposing to improve the play areas within the park itself.

3. Leisure / Walking Route through Tipkinder Park (Leisure Route 3)

Currently, it is difficult to travel from Tipkinder Park through to Collins Street and beyond, due to it being a muddy and uneven path. Whilst the funding available does not allow us to deliver a new route that meets modern standards for all users, improvements could be made develop a path through this area to connect Tipkinder Park with Collins Street to allow access through the park in all seasons and could include the installation of a new bridge over the river.

Clearly distinguish between existing and proposed features

Potential Leisure Routes (PDF, 4MB)

This scheme ties into Cheshire East Council’s ambitions to improve pedestrian and cycling links across Crewe. Through this scheme, along with other cycle links in Crewe, we aim to encourage people to make journeys by active travel methods. By reducing traffic in the Electricity Street and Alton Street area, we hope to improve air quality.

The proposals for the leisure route will require some vegetation clearance and minimal tree removal where necessary to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and to enable the provision of a new, wider, bridge over the Valley Brook. The exact area and number of trees impacted will be determined during detailed design of the off-road route.

Through environment and ecology surveys we understand and acknowledge that there is a diversity of wildlife near and within the Valley Brook area where the off-road leisure route is proposed, and as a result, we are proposing to expand and improve what already exists, so the works should be minimal and compliment this green space.