Sir Keir Starmer quizzed on Middlewich Eastern Bypass during PMQs

Mid Cheshire’s Labour MP Andrew Cooper asked his first question to the Prime Minister this morning (December 4).

Mr Cooper called on Sir Keir to promise funding for the proposed Middlewich Eastern Bypass.

He said: “The Middlewich Eastern Bypass will support the delivery of nearly 2,000 new homes, 6,500 jobs and 1.5 million square feet of employment land.

“The previous Government, having first promised to fund it, dragged their feet, putting jobs and investment at risk.

“We are approaching the season of good will, so can the Prime Minister give my constituents an early Christmas present and offer some certainty about this vital infrastructure project?”

Sir Keir responded: “We are committed to supporting drivers across the country, including by freezing fuel duty and investing £1.6 billion to maintain our roads.

“That is £500 million more than in the previous year.

“I know that my honourable friend’s constituents have waited years for certainty on this scheme.

“The project is currently going through a Government assessment process, and I will make sure that he gets a meeting with the roads Minister to discuss it.”

Sir Keir promised Andrew Cooper a meeting with the Roads Minister (Image: Andrew Cooper) The Middlewich Eastern Bypass will include a new two-way single carriageway connecting a new roundabout junction off Pochin Way in the north of the town to a new roundabout junction to the south, connecting with the A533 Booth Lane.

The plans also include a new bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal, a new bridge over the Sandbach-to-Northwich railway line, and a combined cycleway and footway.

A business case for the project was submitted to the Department for Transport earlier this year, seeking funding for the scheme which is estimated to cost a total of £95.74 million.

Planning permissions and statutory orders are already in place, and contractors are lined up ready to start work next Spring subject to approval of the business case.