MIDDLEWICH Labour Group has condemned a town council decision to reject a motion for debate.

Submitted by Cllr Mike Hunter, the motion, if passed, would have seen Middlewich Town Council require Cheshire East Council to start completion of the Eastern Bypass.

Cllr Hunter stated in the motion: “Middlewich was blighted by the first attempt of building a bypass, which resulted in a multi-million pound cul-de-sac.”

The demanded that CEC start work from the Booth Lane end of the plans including the cross of the railway, but it was not allowed on the agenda.

Cllr Hunter said: “I am shocked that the incumbent and her successor have combined to take a partisan view to reject my motion.

“Middlewich residents are greatly concerned about the absence of a bypass and the 20 year delay of its construction.

“It is right for Middlewich Town Council to come together on a cross-party basis to do everything we can to stop history repeating itself.”

A business case was recently delivered to the Department of Transport by Cheshire East Council to secure funding for the bypass.

Middlewich Town Council recently wrote to CEC to help support the business plan.

Cllr Pam Farrell, Middlewich Town Mayor, said: “In my opinion, the question and statements raised do not help.

“They could damage where we are up to in the process as a town council, and it is felt that any further comment at this stage would not serve any purpose.

“I do not make false promises on what can be delivered and on what time scale to the people of Middlewich.”

The future of the bypass is largely resting on an imminent decision from the government on whether to grant £47 million worth of funding.

A decision is due to be made in the coming months and if the application to pay for the majority of work is accepted, the bypass could be completed in 2020.