CHESHIRE East Council is ‘not currently considering any more northerly options’ for the Middlewich Bypass despite council leader Michael Jones’ announcement.


The Guardian published an open letter from Cllr Jones in April in which he stated that the Cheshire East Council had taken responsibility of the Middlewich Bypass and had plans to move the route of the bypass further north to pave the way for ambitious developments in the town.


The letter, written by Cllr Jones, stated: “Cheshire East is pleased to announce that, after negotiation with Middlewich Town Council and the developers, Cheshire East will take responsibility for the mid-point bypass.


“By taking it further north additional development will be possible. It will also allow us to enhance our proposition that freight should be based at Middlewich, just south of mid-point with a new situation for residents in the town centre.


“We have achieved an agreement with the developers that the council will bring the road forward. This will see a comprehensive redevelopment of all the highway infrastructure and hopefully see a route directly from junction 18 on the M6 to the A54 West of Winsford.”


One resident, Bob Moody, who lives on Cledford Lane close to the original bypass route, decided to send a freedom of information request to Cheshire East Council to find out more about the supposed new northern route but was shocked at the response.


The response, from Cheshire East Council Strategic Infrastructure, said: “The council is still committed to delivering a Middlewich Bypass however the council is not currently considering any more northerly options for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.


“The current proposed alignment is still that which was proposed by the developer and was contained in the Congleton Borough Council SPD.


“The council is considering how the A54 corridor through Middlewich can be improved, which would be a more significant improvement than the Eastern Bypass, and would relieve congestion as a result of traffic travelling between the M6 at Junction 18 and Winsford.


“However, at this stage this is only a concept and no revised scheme and/or road alignments have been produced.”