Mid Cheshire MP Andrew Cooper has applauded local businesses who have written to the government backing the council's call for funding for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.

Mr Cooper was speaking after several businesses wrote expressing their 'collective support' for the scheme and saying their growth plans depend on it being delivered.

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.

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

Mr Cooper said: "I'm pleased to see businesses backing Cheshire East Council's robust case for the Middlewich Eastern Bypass.

"This helps to underline the importance of the project which would bring benefits for transport by reducing congestion and improving the reliability of bus services, encouraging businesses to the area."

The scheme is currently going through a government assessment process following submission of the latest business case.

Mr Cooper said: "Well before my election I was pushing for the bypass at every opportunity, and since then I've written to and met with the parliamentary under-secretary for the future of roads Lilian Greenwood, to further make the case.

"I also used my first question at Prime Minister's Questions to raise the bypass proposal with the Prime Minister, who acknowledged the lengthy wait constituents have endured for clarity regarding the future of the scheme and has promised me a meeting with the roads minister."

This week it was announced a number of businesses including Swizzels, British Salt, NPL Ltd, Tata Chemicals Europe Limited and Wincanton Logistics, had written to Lilian Greenwood calling for the scheme to be considered 'as an urgent priority' and for the funding to be delivered.

The 1.6-mile bypass will be a new two-way single carriageway road that will connect 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, which supports the council's continued commitment to encourage active travel and greener transport.