THE Independent councillors' opposition to the Labour Party petition for a bypass is very disappointing.

People in the town are fed up with not being listened to, so we set up the petition to give people a voice.

Since then, Cheshire East has given a commitment to the bypass.

Unfortunately, we have had commitments in the past which were not delivered.

We want firm assurances about the funding and when the bypass will actually be built.

The Independent’s comments in last week's paper were misleading.

Firstly, the 2007 planning agreement he referred to covers developments to the east of the railway line.

It would be impossible to build anything on that land without building a road, so one has to accompany the other.

The old Ideal Standard site off Cledford Lane is not covered by the 2007 agreement and so Cheshire East could go ahead with placing the waste recycling plant there without building the by-pass.

Secondly, we have never said we would agree to any development as long as the bypass goes ahead.

Any development needs to go through the proper planning processes and should involve improving local infrastructure.

Thirdly, we have not told people the petition by itself can get the bypass completed.

It needs to be followed up by councillors who are prepared to fight for the people of Middlewich to get what they deserve.

Martin Forster Labour Party candidate for Middlewich on Cheshire East Council