Residents calls for Knutsford bypass

Mr Cowburn, 83, has lived in the town since 1938, and the increasing traffic congestion in Knutsford has prompted him to call for a bypass to the west of the town.

He is suggesting a new road should be built between the A537 south of the town and the A50 north of Knutsford, and is calling on Tatton MP Esther McVey to back his bypass idea.

“Over the years a number of studies have taken place regarding the need for a Knutsford bypass,” he said.

“However nothing has happened, although the level of traffic passing through the town has grown exponentially, and we are plagued with heavy goods vehicles using the town as a conduit to other destinations.

“Several weeks ago there were problems on Hollow Lane, and as usual the town was gridlocked, something which is almost normal these days due to the ongoing problems and daily accidents on the nearby M6.

“Furthermore, the current congestion is bound to worsen once the thousand-plus planned houses are built in the town.

“Amazingly there are no planned infrastructure improvements whatsoever to cope with this eventuality.

“The need for a bypass has now reached crisis level, and my proposals are aimed at solving what is currently an intractable problem destined to deteriorate even further if something is not done in the near future.

“The congestion is worst at rush hour in the morning and late afternoon, and everyone is fed up with it – every time something happens on the M6 we have a problem in the town.”

The bypass route suggested by Mr Cowburn would link the A50 Manchester Road just before The Cottons Hotel and the A537 Chelford Road near Moseley Hall, taking traffic around the west of the town via roundabouts at the A50 south of the town and the A5033 Northwich Road, near its junction with Sudlow Lane.

Mr Cowburn has also sent his bypass idea to Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, Knutsford Town Council and the chief executive of Cheshire East Council.