Bid submitted as support for Middlewich bypass gathers steam
The outline business case for the £58.5m Middlewich eastern bypass scheme has been presented to the Department for Transport after local consultation showed 61% support for building the road as the town’s top transport priority.
The scheme was just one of seven nationally to be awarded a share of £10m from the DfT’s fast-track programme, securing £1.25m in August 2016 to develop a business case demonstrating value for money in relieving congestion, improving journey times and unlocking growth.
With a bid now submitted, to be considered by the Secretary of State this summer, Cheshire East Council hopes to secure a government contribution, which along with its own support and that from the private sector, will enable delivery of the project.
Cllr David Brown, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “Middlewich residents have been very clear about what they want and this brings us one step clearer to achieving that. We recognise that the transport infrastructure of Middlewich needs attention.
“Considerable work has been completed to demonstrate to government the importance of the eastern bypass and this council is determined to deliver this for the people and businesses of Middlewich. By delivering this bypass, we will be able to create 6,500 jobs and nearly 2,000 homes not to mention reducing traffic congestion both in the town and on the strategic network linking mid-Cheshire to the M6.”
So if the bypass doesn’t go ahead, does that mean that the 2,000 new homes mentioned by Councillor Brown will not get built either?
By Sandbach Resident