Community News

An aerial shot of the ongoing works at the Royal Arcade site

Cheshire East Council has given an update on the first phase of its Royal Arcade scheme.

The first phase, which includes a new bus station and multi-storey car park, is due to reach its first major milestone on January 4, when a temporary bus station is expected to be brought into use.

Over the next few weeks, works to complete this stage of the project will include creating temporary bus lanes, landscaping, and installing passenger shelters, waiting areas, cycle stands and facilities for bus drivers.

Once finished, work can then begin to demolish the existing bus station and build the new permanent bus station and multistorey car park, which are expected to open at the end of 2023.

Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “It is fantastic news that we have reached this stage of the scheme, and that we are moving ever closer to providing Crewe and its communities with new modern and attractive transport facilities.

“By continuing to work on the scheme in the run up to the festive period, we will ensure that we stay on track and can open the temporary bus station first thing in the new year.

“We will of course make sure that there will be as little disruption as possible to those accessing the town centre during this time.”

Over the next few weeks, works will focus on junctions at Delamere Street and Lawrence Street, and various restrictions will be in place.

However, the restrictions will not affect the nearby car parks and there will be no road closures in place.

Arrangements have also been made to ensure that that this weekend’s Crewe Christmas light switch-on event is not impacted.

Once the temporary bus station opens, a one-way system will be in place for buses – with buses entering the site from Victoria Street and exiting onto Delamere Street.

Pedestrians will be able to access the temporary bus station from both Victoria Street and Delamere Street.

_ Further information about the first phase of the Royal Arcade scheme can be found by visiting: Royal Arcade redevelopment (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

Innovation brings more resources for home care

InSafeHands a local home care company in Nantwich have been innovative, as the first in the area, to obtain a sponsorship licence to recruit new care staff from Zambia.

The clients and team have welcomed the new initiative, and the opportunity to work with staff who are qualified nurses and drs in Zambia, coming to work for InSafeHands, in the local community as carers, extending the services InSafeHands can offer.

Managing Director and Business Owner Rachel Wright, who is a qualified nurse said,

"Everyone is aware of the current challenges in the recruitment of health and social care staff up and down the country, we needed to do something to address the shortage of staff."

Rachel was frustrated that people were stuck in NHS hospital beds when there wasn’t enough staff in social care to make sure people could get home from hospital.

The new staff mean that more people can receive the care they need to remain in their own home and InSafeHands can increase the services they offer to include overnight care and live in care as well as the usual daily visits. _ If you know of anyone needing care in their own home, contact our friendly professional team on 01270 626020