Middlewich could wait another three years for bypass start date

The Middlewich Eastern Bypass is set to be discussed by Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet next week and the council has announced that a public consultation is imminent.

The cabinet meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 3, at the council’s Westfields building in Sandbach at 2pm.

It will see cabinet members discuss various recommendations, including applying to remove a planning condition which would allow an extension on the start of work by three years, with planning permission currently set to run out in July this year.

Another recommendation is that the project will be put to the public to have their say in a consultation which will surround a wider transport plan for Middlewich.

Cllr David Brown, Highways and Infrastructure portfolio holder, prepared a report for cabinet outlining recommendations for the bypass.

One of the recommendations is: “To submit a revision to the discharge of the planning conditions thus extending the validity period of the planning permission for the original bypass route by three years.”

Cllr David Williams, Middlewich Town Council member, is disappointed with the cabinet report.

“I don't regard this as progress,” Cllr Williams said. “We are today as far away from getting the bypass as ever.”

The council claims that the public consultation for Middlewich transport will be introduced ‘soon’ and it will seek the views of residents on public transport, road safety concerns, walking and cycling routes and will address planning for a railway station in Middlewich.

Cllr Rachel Bailey, Cheshire East Council leader, said: “We are determined that the residents of the town should have their say and the opportunity to influence and shape an overall action plan on transport.

“It is very important that we have the support of the town’s residents in whatever proposals we take forward. Our findings will also be shared with the people developing Middlewich’s neighbourhood plan.”