AMBITIOUS £20m plans were unveiled yesterday to rejuvenate Crewe Railway Station.
Consultants have drawn up three options which aim to improve facilities for passengers using connecting trains, buses and taxis, and capitalise on the station's heritage and importance to the town.
Outline drawings released to the Chronicle yesterday show a modern glass frontage to the station, as well as improved parking and access schemes.
Crewe and Nantwich borough councillor Steve Hogben said: 'Crewe Station was the reason Crewe developed into a major town.
'People all over the country associate Crewe with the station. Unfortunately, it no longer presents a positive image of our town.'
The 52 page document has been drawn-up by the five main partners - Cheshire County Council, the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA), Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, Network Rail and Virgin Trains.
It outlines three options for the future of the station on which the public will be consulted in due course. They are: Upgrading the existing concourse and extending it on to the site of the old station master's house. Building a multi-storey car park off Weston Road, containing short stay parking and pick-up and drop-off points.
The existing concourse and station to be upgraded, a multi-storey car park and taxi facilities off Nantwich Road to be constructed next to the 'Horse Landing' and above redundant platforms at the west end of the station.
The refurbishment of the existing station concourse and the upgrading of existing car parking off Pedley Street.
Cllr Andrew Needham, an executive member for Cheshire County Council, said: 'The time has come to give Crewe Railway Station a boost.
'This could result in more passengers, drawn by improved facilities for both residents and visitors alike.'
Tim Clarke, regional director for Network Rail, said: 'We are pleased to assist in this project to ensure that the quality of Crewe Station is brought to the standard that it should be for visitors and rail passengers.'
Chris Coleman, regional manager North West for Virgin Trains, said: 'Crewe Station is a vital interchange and gateway for the North West, served by trains from as far as Penzance and Aberdeen.'
A copy of the document can be found on www.cheshire.gov.uk from tomorrow. A public consultation exercise will continue until the end of June.
