THE route for the extended part of the A556 bypass has been chosen.

Government officials unveiled three new plans in September 2009 for an extension of the A556 Bowdon to Knutsford bypass after original plans were shelved because of a motorway widening scheme.

The plans for a 600-metre stretch of road from Mere to Over Tabley were then subject to a three-month period of public consultation.

After receiving feedback about the plans, the Highways Agency has decided to go for the ‘red route’ that will see the bypass cut through the Tabley countryside and could mean Tabley Parish Hall being demolished or moved.

Tabley Parish Council has called the decision ‘extremely disappointing’ and said the agency ‘had not listened to local businesses’.

The chosen route takes the road west of Mere Hall, through largely open farmland and to the west of Tabley Parish Hall before crossing Old Hall Lane to join junction 19 of the M6 at a new location.

The existing A556 will be closed south of the access to Old Hall Lane, but properties on that road will be able to access the new route at the proposed new junction with the A50, north west of Mere.

Highways received 97 responses about the extended part of the bypass, with 72 per cent of those saying they preferred the red route.

The future of the Tabley services, including the Little Chef, Travelodge and BP garage could now be under threat.

Mohammed Swapan, Highways Agency project manager, told the Guardian they would be discussing the matter of the parish hall with Tabley Parish Council.

“We will be talking with the council about the hall but we have no plans to demolish any buildings on the southern end of the bypass,” he said.

“At this moment in time I don’t expect the route to affect any of the businesses in the area.

“The announcement is a step forward to delivering these vital improvements which will help reduce congestion, make journey times more reliable and increase road safety for the thousands of drivers who use the A556 every day.”

Subject to the completion of statutory procedures and funding, work is expected to begin in 2013, with the road completed by 2015.