Local businesses have written to the government calling for the Middlewich Bypass to be considered as an 'urgent priority' and stressed their growth plans depend on it.

The long-awaited road was put on hold in April of last year by the previous government, which asked Cheshire East to look again at the scheme costs, describing the business case as 'poor'.

The council resubmitted its final business case in September 2024 and is seeking final approval for grant funding from the Department for Transport.

Now, big names – including Swizzels, GO Outdoors Retail Limited and Blacks Outdoor Retail Limited, British Salt Limited, NPL Ltd, Tata Chemicals Europe Limited, Wincanton Logistics, Green Earth Developments (Group), Optima Logistics, and Tritax Big Box Developments – have written to Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, calling for the scheme to be considered 'as an urgent priority' and for the funding to be delivered.

In the letter, they said: "As businesses located in Middlewich, we are writing to express our collective support for this scheme. Our growth plans depend on it.

"The Middlewich Eastern Bypass has overwhelming local support and has long been campaigned for by residents and businesses like us.

"That is because it is fundamental to the long-term economic growth of Middlewich, and to the wider Cheshire East and region."

They said the project represents a 'critical infrastructure improvement for the town, which has long suffered from severe traffic congestion, poor air quality, and a lack of modern transport solutions to sustain Middlewich's growing community'.

In the letter the business leaders stress a reliable and efficient highway network is key to their operations.

"This scheme is an opportunity to ensure the town remains a vital hub for employment and economic activity in the region and that it can continue to attract investment," they said.

They also fear businesses could be deterred from the area without the bypass.

"The scheme will provide the key to unlocking the constraints that shackle future growth and prosperity in Middlewich and the wider region," they said.

The business case was reviewed by the Department for Transport's Investment Committee in November.

The committee will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander.

Cheshire East is hoping to get approval from the government early this year so work can start on site in spring and the bypass can be open by autumn 2027.

The council's highways and transport committee will consider a report later this month on the next steps to take to ensure work can begin as soon as possible if a positive funding decision is received.

Highways committee chair c (Ind) said: "The significant benefits of this scheme to businesses like those that have written to the government are clear and will extend well beyond the town itself.

"By improving the highway network, it will improve connectivity to major employment sites and enhance the region's attractiveness for further development – our plan is to unlock up to 1,950 new homes and employment land and potentially create up to 6,500 jobs in the local area.

He added: "The bypass is 'shovel ready', with designs completed, all planning permissions and statutory orders confirmed, and contractors lined up.

"As local businesses have also called for, we strongly urge the government to consider this scheme as an urgent priority and provide the investment needed for this project."