A temporary Crewe town centre bus station with eight stands and passenger shelters is on track for an early January opening - according to Cheshire East Council.

The council told Nub News it is 'pleased' to confirm work to deliver a new bus station and multi-storey car park in Crewe town centre is 'on schedule.'

The temporary bus station will be in use from Wednesday 4 January, 2023 - as work to complete the first phase of Crewe's Royal Arcade scheme enters the next stage.

Crewe Bus station will be closed with eight temporary bus stands in operation at the temporary facility (Ryan Parker).

The existing bus station will be closed, and eight temporary bus stands will be in operation - alongside temporary passenger shelters, cycle stands and facilities for bus drivers. 

Buses will be running via a one-way system and will enter the site from Victoria Street and exit onto Delamere Street. 

Pedestrian access will be 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.

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.

Work for Crewe's new bus interchange and multi-storey car park is expected to complete at the end of 2023 (Ryan Parker).

"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.

"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."

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

This is so that drainage and highway works can take place in and around the former bus station / Tower Way area. 

Work taking place for Crewe's new temporary bus station in November (Ryan Parker).

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

During these works, Delamere Street will also 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.