A new temporary bus station has opened in a Cheshire town centre - allowing demolition work to begin on the former station for the Royal Arcade development.

The temporary station with eight stands, eight passenger shelters and cycle stands officially opened on the morning on Wednesday (January 4).

It will be in use until the end of 2023 as work to complete the first phase of Crewe's Royal Arcade scheme enters the next stage.

The temporary town centre bus station will be in use until the end of 2023 (Ryan Parker).

Crewe's existing bus station is now closed with the temporary facility having shelter for bus drivers.

Buses are now running via a one-way system - entering the site from Victoria Street and exiting onto Delamere Street. 

Pedestrian access is available from the north of the site via Victoria Street and Lawrence Street - as well as from the south of the site on Delamere Street.

Last month (December), Cheshire East Council was pleased to confirm Crewe's temporary bus station would open in the new year.

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Pedestrian access is available from the north of the site via Victoria Street and Lawrence Street - as well as from the south of the site on Delamere Street (Ryan Parker).

Chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, Cllr Nick Mannion, said: "I am really pleased to be able to confirm we will be starting the new year by reaching such an important milestone in the first phase of our Royal Arcade scheme.

"By bringing the temporary bus station into use it means that we can start demolition works on the existing bus station.

"That can then eventually begin to construct the new permanent bus station and multi-storey car park – work that is due to take 12 months and is expected to complete at the end of 2023.

"While there will of course be changes to where passengers will be catching the bus, timetables will be on display at each of the temporary stands.

Demoltion works have now started on Crewe's former bus station (Ryan Parker).

"We have been working closely with our contractors and colleagues to ensure information is available on site and that staff are available should people need support."

The footpath that runs alongside the Royal Arcade site, on Delamere Street, is now expected to be closed for three months.

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This closure allows drainage and highway works to take place in and around the former bus station / Tower Way area. 

Designated crossing points have been signed to advise people of the temporary access routes along Delamere Street during the closure. 

Buses are now running via a one-way system - entering the site from Victoria Street and exiting onto Delamere Street (Ryan Parker).

As part of these works, Delamere Street will be reduced to one lane to traffic for up to six weeks.

Temporary traffic controls – as well as temporary controls on the existing pedestrian crossing – will be in place.