MIDDLEWICH’S long-awaited bypass is expected to move a step closer to reality by 2019.

At a Cheshire East Council scrutiny committee meeting on Monday, Chris Hindle, head of strategic infrastructure, told councillors that a planning decision is expected to be made this year.

He said: “There is a planning application in the process at the moment and we will be hoping for a decision on that from the strategic planning board before the end of the year.

“We will then progress through the compulsory purchase orders, and then into the procurement process.

“This scheme opens up the whole of MA6NITUDE, which is the biggest employment allocation in the local plan.”

A report issued at the environment and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee said that the Middlewich eastern bypass is set to cost approximately £60.2 million.

CEC was awarded £46.8 million from the Government for the Middlewich eastern bypass last October, while the remainder of the cost will be met by the council and developer contributions.

In a consultation on the bypass held in the spring, 79 per cent of respondents complained of traffic congestion in Middlewich – with the new relief road recognised as the best solution.