A VISION of Crewe's future development – based around retaining the railway station at its current location – will be presented to town and business leaders.

Pressure group CREAM – Crewe Railways, Environment and Manufacture – is battling to be involved in the process of planning for the future of Crewe town centre, railway station and Basford development site.

CREAM, whose members include trade unions and businessmen, fears the town will be left behind in national plans to develop the railways and lose its status as a major transport stop.

At a meeting in Crewe on Saturday, CREAM members agreed to produce their own document, showing how they feel the masterplan should progress.

Their plans will be based around retaining Crewe railway station at its current location and developing the area around it.

CREAM's document will suggest building a new bus station near the train station, improving traffic links in the town and creating a new visitor attraction.

It is hoped improving the environment around the railway station could convince Network Rail to include Crewe in High Speed 2 (HS2), the Government's plans to create new faster rail links between London and Scotland – presently Warrington, rather than Crewe, has been earmarked for the route.

Councillor Roy Cartlidge, CREAM Chairman, pictured, said: "Crewe railway station is the engine drive for future growth.

"We want Crewe to be a main line. If the station was moved to Basford, it would become a backwater.

CREAM member Ben Wye, aged 47, of Sidney Avenue, Crewe, said: "What we have been talking about is to make the station strong enough that it is linked with HS2, improve facilities so buses can stop there, improve conditions in the town and then have an attraction worth going to."

Network Rail wants to move Crewe railway station to Basford. But when its latest five-year plan was sent to the Government for approval, ministers refused to provide money to allow the station to relocate.

Cheshire East Council is currently drawing up its masterplan to bring together schemes aimed at improving the town centre, station and Basford development site.

CREAM's document will be presented to council leaders in an attempt to influence the masterplan.

A public meeting will now be held on Saturday, October 17, at 10am, at the Royal Hotel, Nantwich Road, Crewe, to discuss CREAM's proposals.