RESIDENTS and councillors have written to the Boundary Commission in an attempt to keep Weaver Vale within one parliamentary seat.

The Boundary Commission’s review, published last September, proposed that Northwich, Hartford, Leftwich and Kingsmead should all be moved out of the current Weaver Vale constituency.

Weaverham would stay in Weaver Vale.

It is recommended that the areas listed should join Winsford in the Eddisbury constituency, where Antoinette Sandbach MP currently holds the seat.

Last October, members of Northwich Town Council presented proposals at the Boundary Commission’s public hearing in Chester to join Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich together in a ‘Mid-Cheshire’ constituency.

The three towns are currently in three separate parliamentary constituencies.

In a letter to the Boundary Commission, Cllr Derek Bowden from Northwich Town Council said the case to join-up the three salt towns was ‘self-evident’.

He said: “The constituency proposed by Northwich Town Council meets the criteria for a viable unit, much more effectively than the boundaries set out in the consultation document.

“The case for the Mid Cheshire constituency within the brief of one MP is self-evident.”

Gavin Evetts, from Hartford, agreed with the town council.

He said: “Fully support the need for changes, however I do feel that Mid Cheshire would be far better represented if Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich were all joined in the same constituency.

“The similarities of the towns are such that benefits from a unified approach to housing, education, welfare and jobs creation would certainly be evident.”

Barbara Keelty, from Northwich, said she also supported the town council's proposals.

She said: “The old constituency of Northwich with its rural satellites should be brought back. It forms a cohesive environment.”

Gareth Pugh, from Northwich, disagreed with the Boundary Commission’s review.

He said: “Barnton, Winnington, Weaverham, Hartford, Northwich, Rudheath and Lostock should all be in the same constituency, the people of Northwich believe we are all one unity already.

"These need to be together.”

A total of 22 comments from residents with CW8 postcodes were submitted to the Boundary Commission, with four from CW7 residents and six from CW6 postcodes in the 12 weeks following the publication of its review.

March was the final day to respond following September’s review.

To view the review and all comments visit bce2018.org.uk