A SUBWAY beneath a major Northwich junction could be filled in as part of plans for Memorial Court.

The underpass below Chesterway and Watling Street could be replaced by a pelican crossing in Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) plans for the new cultural and leisure centre.

Northwich Town Council members were surprised at the proposal as they thought the underpass was going to be retained and hope to discover residents’ views.

Town mayor Clr Bob Robinson said: “It's all rather surprising.

“I'd spoken to them about access and they changed their minds and said the underpass wouldn't be closed, so I said in that case it needs proper lighting and proper security.”

Clr Andy Stott said: “Their view is that people don't like it because it's dark and unsafe and people would rather use a pelican crossing.

“But we're not sure and would rather listen to the people of Northwich rather than the people of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

“If we don't want it to be filled in then we'll be saving CWAC money.”

Clr Paul Dolan said he would be interested to know if there was any evidence of the subway being unsafe.

“If they think it's unsafe have they tested it?” he said.

“What are the number of incidents associated with it in the past year?

“I don't know if it's being said without evidence.”

He added: “But it could do with a facelift.”