Cheshire East Council has given the green light for work to begin on the main construction phase of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.
Couns on the Highways and Transport Committee voted unanimously to appoint the principal contractor to undertake the stage-two building works of the new infrastructure scheme which – unlike Congleton Link Road – will ease congestion in Middlewich town centre.
Subject to formal contract signing with the contractor for the £53.8 million main construction phase, work is expected to start on site in spring. It includes a phased delivery of the Cledford Lane element of the scheme to reduce costs.
Coun Mark Goldsmith, chair of the committee, said: “This is great news for Cheshire East and those who drive through Middlewich. Delivery of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass has been long-awaited – and has overwhelming local support.
“The scheme will be a tremendous boost for Middlewich and the wider Cheshire East economy and is coming about due to the council’s determination to secure funding and deliver this critical infrastructure scheme.
“The economic and environmental benefits of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass are clear. The council is very grateful for the Government support received in making this project happen, which the community has been waiting for many years.
“Now we can look forward to the main construction phase getting under way and the road being completed for everyone’s benefit.”
The bypass is expected to unlock up to 1,950 new homes and employment land; create up to 6,500 local jobs; relieve severe congestion at the A54/A533 junction; improve air quality and reduce noise in residential areas; enhance public transport reliability; and improve access to the M6 and key employment sites.
The 1.6-mile (2.5km) bypass will connect Pochin Way in the north of Middlewich to the A533 Booth Lane in the south, including a new bridge over the Sandbach-Northwich railway line and a new bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal.
It will also feature a combined cycleway and footway.
Following submission of the full business case, the council received confirmation last summer that ministers had granted full approval for the scheme.
As part of this approval, the Department for Transport will provide a maximum capped funding contribution of £48.037 million towards the total estimated scheme cost. This includes £1.257 million provided by the department prior to 2021.
The current estimated total scheme cost is £107.67 million, which includes spend in previous years to develop the outline business case. This cost is approved within the council’s medium-term financial strategy 2025–2029.
The scheme has been extensively consulted on over several years. Residents and road users will be informed in advance about roadworks and construction activities.
The bypass scheme is due to open to traffic in spring 2028.
As the “Chronicle” has reported, Congletonians were also promised the town’s link road would ease congestion, but this was never true and it has not eased congestion through the town. The link road is mainly to ease congestion on local roads when the M6 is closed.
