MIDDLEWICH Ward Member at Cheshire East Council, Cllr Mike Parsons, has warned residents to be wary of the council leader’s claims of a huge ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ investment into the town.


Cheshire East Council leader Cllr Michael Jones has revealed ambitious plans to change the face of Middlewich with a marina, new town centre, leisure facilities, several new schools, houses, link roads, and the reopening of Middlewich Rail Station.


Cllr Jones said: “I foresee a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the town with new investment and jobs being created, all carried out in a way which protects the heritage and well-being of residents. It is no less than the people of Middlewich deserve.


“The potential north west gateway hub station for HS2, in Crewe, provides the catalyst for real growth in Middlewich and for our vision to be delivered. The possibilities for regeneration are huge and we are working to turn them into reality.”


However, Cllr Parsons described the plans as a ‘house of cards’ built on questionable foundation and warned Middlewich residents that they are being told just what they want to hear.


Cllr Parsons said: “Michael Jones’ recent comments in the Local Press, outlining his vision for the future of Middlewich, made interesting reading and, no doubt, contained a lot of that which I am sure Middlewich people want to hear.


“Indeed, I, as both a resident of Middlewich and an elected representative of its community, would welcome any and all positive actions by Cheshire East Council towards making the town a better, more prosperous and safer place to live.


“However, my concern is that the ‘vision’ of the leader of Cheshire East Council and that of the people of Middlewich is not necessarily one and the same.


“Middlewich’s priorities and urgent needs are not only quite plainly there for all to see, they have been there, clearly visible and outstanding since well before the turn of the millennium and yet repeated attempts to have these issues addressed by the authority responsible have all been constantly and blatantly rejected.


“Now, it would seem that we are being told that all things could be possible under Cllr Jones’ plans for the future of Middlewich, but beware the house of cards which is built on a speculative and questionable foundation.


“It could just be that Middlewich doesn’t get what it needs until it has been freely given that which it most definitely neither needs nor wants.”