Plans to open multi-storey car park stalled again

The building, worth £11m, was originally meant to open at the end of 2023

The opening of a new multi-storey car park in Crewe has been delayed again because of a "technical issue".

Costing £11m to build, the car park and was due to open at the end of 2023, but it was put back when a worker was taken to hospital after being injured in June that year.

Cheshire East Council later announced the 390-space car park would open in May this year, but it remained closed.

During the delay, two car parks have closed - leaving the town centre with 218 fewer parking places currently and no extra provision.

Of the latest delay, councillor Nick Mannion said it would be short and a new date for the car park's opening would be made in the next few days.

The town lost 89 spaces from its Civic Centre car park, which shut in December so the library could be bulldozed, along with 129-spaces from long stay Oak Street car park, which permanently closed last week.

'Requires specialist contractors'

Original plans from the council intended for the new multi-storey absorb the parking spaces needed from both these locations.

Mr Mannion, vice chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “The delay in opening the multi-storey car park is because of a technical issue identified during final checks at the facility – which requires specialist contractors to resolve.

“While this is of course regrettable, our priority is ensuring that all systems are fully-tested and working to our satisfaction before the car park is opened to the public.

“We expect this to only cause a short delay and hope to be able to announce a date for the opening of the multi-storey car park within the next few days.”

A new "state-of-the-art space for young people" will be crated on the site of the closed Oak Street car park, he added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.