A500 corridor improvements scheme removed from Department for Transport programme
By Nub News Reporter 9th Oct 2026 Plans to improve the A500 corridor and connections to Crewe Railway Station have been removed from the Government's Major Road Network programme.
By Nub News
Plans to improve the A500 corridor and links to Crewe railway station have been removed from the Government’s Major Road Network programme.
The decision means Cheshire East Council will no longer receive Government funding to deliver the scheme. The authority said it was “deeply disappointed” by the Department for Transport announcement.
The proposals were intended to make journeys safer and easier for people walking, wheeling, cycling and driving. They were also expected to improve transport links, support future housing and employment, and encourage more sustainable travel.
Councillor Mark Goldsmith, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said the decision meant a second major opportunity to support Crewe’s growth had been lost.
“The A500 is a vital gateway into the town and a key route for our residents, businesses and investors,” he said.
Cllr Goldsmith said improvements would have supported new employment and housing, improved journey times and created better connections for the town.
The original A500 dualling proposal was linked to the planned northern leg of HS2, which was cancelled in 2023. Following that decision, the council worked with partners on a more affordable alternative scheme aimed at addressing key transport problems along the route.
The council said it had adapted its plans in response to requests from the Government and continued to make the case for investment in the corridor.
The Department for Transport’s decision will create an additional financial challenge for Cheshire East Council as it works to restore long-term financial sustainability and move away from Exceptional Financial Support, according to Cllr Goldsmith.
The authority will now assess the financial implications of the funding withdrawal and consider whether any parts of the scheme can still be delivered.
Cllr Goldsmith said the council would continue working with partners, businesses and the Government to support investment in Crewe.
He added that the new combined authority would have decision-making powers and funding for local transport initiatives, creating a possible route to explore alternative investment for the A500 scheme in the future.