THE date when vehicles could finally use the £58 million Middlewich eastern bypass has been put back.

Cheshire East Council was hoping the road would be open to traffic by winter 2021 as of two months ago, when cabinet renewed its commitment to the scheme and approved Balfour Beatty as the contractor to build it.

But CEC is now predicting that construction work could begin in 2021 and last for 30 months, meaning vehicles would be able to use the road in 2023-24.

However, the council insists that target date is not set in stone – and it could be brought forward once any possible compulsory purchase issues are resolved, along with agreements on who is funding the project.

Chris Hindle, head of infrastructure at CEC, said: “We are committed to delivering the Middlewich Eastern Bypass as part of our capital programme and this is one of a number of important strategic infrastructure projects for the council.

“Over the last few years we have made significant progress – the next stages are to secure planning permission and funding for the Middlewich eastern bypass.

“There are no fixed programme timescales until this planning, land and funding is secured. At that point, more definitive programme dates can be set.

“The current programme has in the past anticipated start and completion dates – based on information available at the time – however, the most recent programme review has made allowances for potential issues relating to compulsory purchase procedures for land and access rights affected by the road scheme.

“At this stage, we still expect advanced environment works to start onsite during 2019, and main works to start in 2021, with an estimated 30-month construction period.”

CEC secured £46.8 million from the Government towards the bypass in October 2017.

The remainder of the scheme will be funded by up to five developer contributions, with the most lucrative set to be used on the project before CEC makes up any shortfall on top.

Both CEC and Cheshire West and Chester Council need to give planning permission for the bypass, which straddles the border of the two boroughs.

Neither council is yet to make a planning decision on the scheme.