Councillors on Cheshire East Council鈥檚 highways and transport committee voted unanimously this week to appoint Balfour Beatty to undertake the stage-two building works of the Middlewich eastern bypass.
Subject to formal contract signing with the contractor for the 拢53.8m main construction phase, work is expected to start on site in spring 2026. It includes a phased delivery of the Cledford Lane element of the scheme to reduce costs.
The bypass is expected to relieve congestion at the A54/A533 junction and unlock up to 1,950 new homes and employment land.
The 1.6-mile (2.5km)聽 bypass will connect Pochin Way in the north of Middlewich to the A533 Booth Lane in the south, including a new bridge over the Sandbach-Northwich railway line and a new bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal. It will also have a combined cycleway and footway.
Following submission of the full business case, the council received confirmation last summer that ministers had granted full approval for the scheme. As part of this approval, the Department for Transport (DfT) will provide a maximum capped funding contribution of 拢48m towards the total estimated scheme cost. This includes 拢1.26m previously provided by the DfT before 2021.
The current estimated total scheme cost is 拢107.67m, which includes spend in previous years to develop the outline business case. This cost is approved within the council鈥檚 medium-term financial strategy 2025鈥�2029.
The bypass is expected to open to traffic in spring 2028.
Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of the council鈥檚 highways and transport committee, said: 鈥淭his is great news for Cheshire East and those who drive through Middlewich. Delivery of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass has been long-awaited 鈥� and has overwhelming local support.
鈥淭he scheme will be a tremendous boost for Middlewich and the wider Cheshire East economy and is coming about due to the council鈥檚 determination to secure funding and deliver this critical infrastructure scheme.
鈥淭he economic and environmental benefits of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass are clear. The council is very grateful for the government support received in making this project happen, which the community have been waiting for many years.
鈥淣ow we can look forward to the main construction phase getting under way and the road being completed for everyone鈥檚 benefit.鈥�