Council chiefs and Northwich politicians have expressed frustration after plans for a new Winnington crossing once again failed to win government backing.

Ambitious proposals for the £51m Winnington Corridor scheme to convert the existing Grade II listed Winnington Turn and Stone bridges into cycle and pedestrian crossings, along with the creation of two new road bridges for vehicles, were torpedoed in January, after a £45m levelling up funding bid by the council was knocked back.

The government this week announced a third round of levelling up bid projects around the country, but the Winnington scheme was once again left out. This round saw previously unsuccessful projects being chosen for a reprieve, rather than councils being invited to submit renewed bids.

The move comes as a bitter blow to the area, where the town’s existing, ageing bridge is widely viewed as a piece of infrastructure which is increasingly unable to cope with increased traffic brought about by the town’s continued growth – a view amplified in light of the planned 1,500-home Winnington Works project.

A Cheshire West and Chester spokesperson said: "In round three, less funding has been given to transport projects, with those now receiving this latest funding being in the main regeneration projects.

“The council is actively seeking feedback from government on this latest round of funding and will continue to pursue this with officials. The council will also continue to assess and pursue where applicable any future funding which becomes available."

Leftwich Labour councillor Andrew Cooper – who was recently picked by the party to be its MP candidate for Mid Cheshire at the next general election – said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ at the decision.

He said: "Winnington Bridge has once again been overlooked for funding from the government, seemingly without the council having the opportunity to make its case.

“The bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure for access to the towns and villages north of Northwich.

“It is no longer fit for purpose and needs to be replaced, both to safeguard long term access across the river, and to ensure any future development at Winnington Works is sustainable.

“I will continue to make the case for funding this project, both to Cheshire West and Chester Council and to government.”

The plans had enjoyed broad cross-party support locally, with Conservative Tatton MP Esther McVey having previously also backed it.

Weaver Vale Labour MP Mike Amesbury branded levelling up ‘a nonsense’ in light of the latest decision.

Posting on Facebook, he said: "In many ways this was the perfect Levelling Up application as a new crossing is desperately needed given the condition of the ageing swing bridge.

“But it could also have unlocked regeneration of the nearby Winnington Works site as a new bridge is essential to support a 1,550-homes scheme.”

The government declined to comment further.