A proposal to fill in a subway in Northwich at an estimated cost of £500,000 has been branded ‘crazy’.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) and Northwich Town Council are asking residents whether the Chester Way underpass should be retained or filled in once three new ground-level pedestrian crossings are installed at the same location.
A traffic assessment concluded that the new crossings - due for completion this month - will help traffic to flow more freely around the town.
But Cllr Sam Naylor believes the underpass is safer than pedestrian crossings and wants it to remain.
Cllr Sam Naylor said: “There is absolutely nothing wrong with the subway.
“I am a retired policeman and long-time resident of Northwich and I’ve checked with the police and they have no kind of vandalism or antisocial behaviour issues.
“There is going to be a brand new lifestyle centre and a lot of people might want to visit it on foot.
“It is safer for people to use a subway than to cross the road. It is a safeguarding issue in my view.
“I have completed my online questionnaire voicing my view that it should be kept open and I would encourage anyone else who has a stake in Northwich town centre to do the same.
“I just think it is crazy that they want to spend half a million filling in what is an essential pedestrian asset, which is wheelchair-friendly.”
The cost of filling in the subway, including public realm works, is thought to be £500,000.
Northwich resident Liam Byrne believes the money would be better spent investing in Northwich Library.
Mr Byrne said: “CWaC seems to have completely lost the plot on this one.
“To spend half a million pounds on a project which would force pedestrians to cross a busy road instead of using a perfectly safe underpass is just beyond comprehension. “They should spend some of the money saved on tidying it up and improve the lighting and then leave it alone.
“There would also be sufficient saved to spend on saving our public library which the council seems set on allowing to decay.”
A spokesman for CWaC said: “We are currently consulting on the proposals and Cllr Naylor and members of the public should take advantage of the opportunity to make their views known.
“Anyone wishing to take part can complete a brief survey, which is anonymous, at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/consultation.
“Alternatively, paper copies are available from Northwich & Winsford Locality Team, Wyvern House, Winsford , CW7 1AU, telephone 01606 288843 or email northwichwinsfordlocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.”
The consultation will run until November 30.
