Campaigners have been reassured that securing funding for the bypass is still a priority after news broke last month that funds were not available.

Cheshire East Council announced in November last year that funding for the bypass had been secured through both the Regional Growth Fund and developments in the area.

However, Cllr David Topping shocked people in the town in March when he said that despite the announcement, the council did not have funding for the bypass.

Campaigners have since launched two petitions to get the road completed and now the council has moved to reassure the public that it is ‘committed to the bypass’.

Caroline Simpson, executive director of economic growth and prosperity, said: “Cheshire East Council remains committed to seeing the Midpoint 18 eastern bypass happen – it is a key project in our highways programme.

“The authority is working in partnership with Middlewich Town Council and the local MP on a wide range of initiatives with some very specific goals.

“The council is also focused on delivering some key projects this year as part of an ongoing phased programme of investment in the town.”

The Middlewich Labour candidates for the local election, who have launched a petition to get the bypass built before any major development, say the comments are meaningless.

Rachel Pendleton, Labour candidate for the Middlewich ward, said: “A commitment was made 30 years ago. We'll measure their performance in yards of asphalt, not number of empty promises. The petition continues please sign.

Cheshire East Council also announced that several improvements would be made to the town in 2015, including fresh branding and better road and pedestrian signage, improvements to Fountain Field Park, workshop space at Saltscape for arts and crafts activities, and improved access to the lagoons for local people and visitors.

Mrs Simpson added: “All these projects will underpin the work currently taking place on the Neighbourhood Plans, where local people can help decide where development should go and what it will look like.

“The authority continues to bring forward significant projects, such as the eastern bypass, the railway station, a new marina development and a solution to Tesco’s withdrawal from development in Middlewich. The Council will also be looking to work in partnership with the town council to enhance new community facilities where it can.”