CREWE'S aging railway station is to get a major face-lift after it was branded as one of the worst in the country.

The historic station has been the focus of controversy in recent years with some favouring a replacement terminal at Basford.

But it is now to benefeit from the launch of a £50m fund for improvements in ten key railway stations.

Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich David Williams backed the announcement by transport secretary Lord Andrew Adonis.

The project follows a report on the state of facilities for passengers across the country.

It includes a comprehensive list of minimum standards for all stations aimed at improving the daily travelling experience of passengers and attracting more passengers on to the railway.

Ten major railway stations have been identified as being in need of major improvement.

Mr Williams said: “This additional Government investment in Crewe station is very welcome.

"It is further confirmation that we need to upgrade the station in it’s current location and reject the ridiculous idea of moving it to Basford.

"I thought we had laid that idea to bed when I brought the then secretary of state Geoff Hoon to Crewe and he confirmed that there was no funding to move the station.”

Lord Adonis, together with stations champions Chris Green and Sir Peter Hall, is today embarking on a whistle-stop tour of the ten stations that will benefit from new £50m fund, supplemented by commercial and third-party contributions by train operating companies.

Mr Williams added: "I met with Lord Adonis at Crewe station recently and along with Labour councillors, we made the case for the Crewe Gateway Scheme.

"Soon after that the rail minister Sadiq Khan confirmed that the Government would welcome a proposal from Cheshire East Council.

"I was shocked therefore to learn that the council has not sent that business case to the Department for Transport.

"What is even more shocking is that the council has since employed consultants to come up with a vision for Crewe and they have produced a document that refers to the possibility of relocating the station again.

"I would like to know how many thousands of pounds the Tory-controlled council is spending in undermining the Crewe Gateway Scheme.”

Former Cheshire Country Council member David Newton added: “I do not understand why Cheshire East is delaying on this.

"I, and the late County Councillor Alan Richardson, worked on a panel to put together the Crewe Gateway Scheme.

"The plan is in place and it should have been sent to the rail minister as soon as he asked for it.

"What’s the delay? Where has the money for the scheme gone?”

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson said: "At a recent face to face meeting with Lord Adonis at Crewe railway station I made the case for the need for urgent work, both maintenance and enhancement, to be carried out at Crewe.

"This followed a meeting with the previous secretary of state Geoff Hoon, as well as raising the same issue on a number of occasions in Parliament to ministers.

"I am pleased Lord Adonis has now recognised the huge importance of Crewe as a pivotal major interchange station and the top priority it must be afforded for special funding.

"I will be seeking another meeting with him in the near future to discuss how this funding can be best used to improve what is the gateway to the North West."