The Middlewich By-Pass Project is on schedule to get underway in 2020 following planning approval by the Strategic Planning Board last Wednesday!
This project is designed to release major employment sites to the south of the town centre and last week’s approval moves the plan for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass a step further forward.
The scheme aims to construct a 2.6km, 50mph, single carriageway route from the Salt Cellar roundabout on the A54 to Booth Lane, to the south of Middlewich. On completion, the By-Pass will alleviate town centre congestion on Middlewich’s narrow highways network whilst also unlocking new development sites that have the potential to create 1,950 new homes and up to 6,500 new jobs.
Alongside the road, a dual-use cycle and footway is proposed which will link into existing walking, cycling, and public rights-of-way at each end, and at two points along the route linking to existing public footpaths. Concerns regarding potential detrimental effects on neighbouring Sandbach Town were allayed following robust traffic modelling exercises submitted as part of the detailed submission.
Cheshire East Council is committed to delivering the Middlewich Eastern Bypass as part of their capital programme and it is one of a number of important strategic infrastructure projects for the council.
The next stage is to secure final funding once a firm tender price is calculated. At that point, definitive programme dates can be set.”
The council secured £46.8m government funding in principle for the £58m scheme last year, successfully competing against funding bids for similar projects in other parts of the country. The balance will be met from the council’s capital budget and from developer contributions.
