Unlocking the potential of Cheshire Central, shovel-ready, fully designed, and opening in Autumn 2027.
Funding approval needed to unlock new economic growth in Cheshire. The most credible piece of growth-enabling infrastructure in the region investors can engage with today
Middlewich town centre suffers from severe traffic congestion at the junction of the A54 (linking the M6, Winsford and Chester) and the A533 (to Sandbach and Northwich). Public consultation showed strong support for the scheme, 95% of respondents agreed Middlewich needs a bypass.
Strategic and economic importance
- Supports 1,950 new homes and 6,500 jobs across the Local Plan Growth Strategy.
- Unlocks inaccessible employment land 2,500 new permanent jobs and 1.5m sq ft of industrial and logistics space at Midpoint 18 (Ma6nitude) Business Park.
- Generates an estimated £6m pa in business rates, plus Council Tax receipts.
- Aligns with Government’s growth plan and transport priorities.
Readiness – shovel-ready
- Construction begins Spring 2025. Road opens Autumn 2027.
- Designs complete; planning permissions and Statutory Orders confirmed.
- Land agreements secured with all major landowners; legal agreements in place with Network Rail and Canal and River Trust.
- Target cost agreed with Tier 1 contractor.
- Funding secured subject to Full Business Case approval, accepted onto the DfT’s Large Local Major Scheme programme.