Kaleigh Watterson

Cheshire East Council has selected Cheshire Leisure as its preferred organisation to redevelop Crewe's former Flag Lane Baths, which closed in 2016. The proposal would restore the swimming pool and add a gym, fitness studios and community facilities. Earlier plans for a community centre and an alternative provision school were abandoned because of rising costs and funding decisions, while the new project is intended to support Crewe's wider regeneration.

Warrington Council’s planned sale of its £30m stake in Redwood Bank has fallen through due to macroeconomic conditions. The council, which accumulated £1.8bn in debt from its investment strategy, had expected to sell the shares at a substantial loss and has already incurred significant non‑recoverable costs. A new third‑party offer is now being assessed through due diligence. Ministerial envoys appointed over concerns about the council’s investments reported its debt had fallen to £1.4bn but noted losses of £100m from the strategy.

Drivers reported incorrect toll charges at the Warburton Toll Bridge following errors in the automatic number plate recognition system, with some receiving fines despite paying or living far from the area. Motorists highlighted misread plates, unclear enforcement practices and rapidly escalating charges, prompting calls for improved regulation. Labour MPs urged Peel Ports and Excel Parking to fix operational issues, while Peel Ports acknowledged isolated customer experience problems but denied systemic failures and said errors were corrected when found.

Campaigners opposing tree removals at Poynton Pool and Cheshire East Council have agreed on a revised safety plan that follows the existing footpath and minimizes tree loss. The original proposal prompted protests and was rejected by the council’s strategic planning board earlier in the year. A joint statement from the council, Friends of Poynton Pool and Poynton Town Council confirms they are collaborating on detailed plans to be shared with the Environment Agency, with further survey work beginning next month.

Cheshire East Council anticipates a £15m budget shortfall in 2027–28, in addition to £13.3m in planned savings, as it continues to experience significant financial pressure. The authority warns that its 2026–27 budget can only be balanced through exceptional financial support, which allows day‑to‑day costs to be treated as capital spending but is not sustainable. Its latest overspend for the previous financial year has been revised down to £18.5m. Two financial reports outlining the challenges are set to be discussed by the council’s cabinet in Crewe.

A former rail minister expressed optimism that a Birmingham-to-Manchester high-speed rail link could be revived if Andy Burnham became prime minister, citing the potential for a funding model similar to London’s Crossrail. The proposal is seen as boosting growth and improving north–south connectivity, with regional leaders in Cheshire and Warrington supporting any alternative to the cancelled HS2 northern leg. Local authorities emphasised the importance of Crewe and other hubs in integrating future rail networks and securing associated economic opportunities.