Mid Cheshire MP Expresses Optimism for Bypass Funding

Andrew Cooper, the Labour MP for Mid Cheshire, has stated that a long-planned bypass for a local town would alleviate traffic congestion and enhance bus services. Cooper has been advocating for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass to the minister responsible for the future of roads, expressing that he “remained hopeful” regarding securing funding. This follows the Conservative government’s rejection of the road’s initial business case earlier this year, prompting Cheshire East Council to submit an updated proposal two months ago. According to Cooper, Minister Lilian Greenwood acknowledged both the significance of the scheme and the local backing it has received. The estimated cost for the road is approximately £95m, with a request made for the Department for Transport to contribute around half of this sum. Cooper participated in the meeting alongside Sarah Russell, the MP for Congleton. The Middlewich bypass is planned as a 1.6-mile single carriageway road, a project that encompasses the construction of new bridges spanning the Trent and Mersey Canal and the adjacent railway line. The initial proposal for the bypass was put forward in 2017, securing planning permission two years subsequent to that. Preparatory work had already commenced prior to the rejection of the business case earlier this year. Cooper stated: “Although the minister made no commitment that funding would be released for the project, we remain hopeful.” He added that the bypass would also offer local transport advantages by reducing congestion and enhancing the reliability of bus services, factors that would both encourage businesses to the area. In September, when the business case was submitted, Councillor Mark Goldsmith of Cheshire East Council described the bypass as “shovel ready.” He further commented: “Delaying this scheme further will have major financial implications for the council and to ensure that it remains achievable, our ambition is to receive full business case approval from government later this year, or early 2025, so that we could start on site in spring 2025 and the bypass can be open by autumn 2027.”