HIGHWAYS chiefs are celebrating after new walkways and cycle routes in Wilmslow and Crewe were earmarked for a £1.6 million funding boost.

The Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is offering £500,000 for the Wilmslow strategic cycle and walking route, and £1.1 million for the north west Crewe cycling and walking link.

CEC bid for the funding alongside Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough Council, with the cash coming from a £5 million local growth fund.

Cllr Don Stockton, CEC cabinet member for environment and member for Wilmslow Lacey Green, said: “This is fantastic news for Cheshire East and this £1.6 million local growth fund allocation will help the council continue to deliver more sustainable transport solutions and facilities in the borough to help deliver jobs, growth and healthier communities.

“Work will be conducted over the coming year to plan and design these schemes for Crewe and Wilmslow, which will include consultation with stakeholders and the local communities to help shape and inform the projects.”

The Wilmslow strategic cycle and walking route will connect the sites in the Cheshire East Science Corridor to the Manchester Airport Enterprise Zone.

It involves upgrading pedestrian and cycle links between Wilmslow station and the Royal London site, adding provision along the A538 corridor near Waters, and providing a link to Alderley Park.

CEC hopes the scheme will support the delivery of 1,500 new jobs.

Meanwhile, the north west Crewe cycling and walking link is hoped to facilitate 1,600 new jobs and 1,750 new homes, as well as a connection to the Bentley site and Leighton Hospital.

The LEP’s board will confirm the funding at its May meeting, and both the Wilmslow and Crewe schemes are due to be completed by spring 2021.