Roadworks begin near Cheshire Hospital as drivers prepare for 80 weeks of disruption

Extensive roadwork to improve congestion around a hospital in Crewe has started with drivers for around 80 weeks of disruption. Delivery work on the North West Crewe Package project began today (Monday 9th May).
Various closures will be in place by November 2023 on the roads surrounding Leighton Hospital. Middlewich Road will be closed between Smithy Lane and Pyms Lane from today.
Drivers traveling south towards roadworks are being diverted via Flowers Lane, Bradfield Road, Sydney Road, University Way, Shavington Bypass and Nantwich Bypass. Northbound traffic will be diverted by the same route in the opposite direction.
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Additional road closures will be announced as the project progresses. The program is expected to take approximately two years.
(Image: East Cheshire Council)
It is hoped that the North West Crewe Package (NWCP) will improve roads and junctions around the Leighton area. As well as reducing congestion, the aim is to improve access to Leighton Hospital while providing “opportunities for housing development and local business expansion”.
This includes the delivery of 1,250 homes in the Leighton Road area. Both plans, one for 850 homes and the other for 400, were approved by Cheshire East Council in 2020.
Improvements will include:
- Construction of a new 2.6 km single carriageway
- Seven new roundabouts
- Smithy Lane realignment
- Improvements to Flowers Lane Junction on A530 Middlewich Road and Minshull New Road
- Extension of the Connect 2 pedestrian and cycle route to Leighton Hospital and North West Crewe.

(Photo: Jonathan White)
A section of Minshull New Road outside Leighton Academy will also be permanently closed to traffic. It is about creating a safer environment for children entering and leaving school.
A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: “The main works of the NWCP are being carried out by contractor Balfour Beatty on behalf of Cheshire East Council and will include the construction of a new road linking Smithy Lane, Minshull New Road and Middlewich Road (A530), together with the realignment of Smithy Lane, Flowers Lane and improvements to other road junctions associated with the project.
“The package also includes the extension of the Connect 2 pedestrian and cycle route to Leighton Hospital and North West Crewe. In addition, a section of Minshull New Road outside Leighton Academy will be closed to traffic and create a safer environment for children arriving and leaving school.”
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