A letter to Middlewich residents: CHESHIRE East is pleased to announce that, after negotiation with Middlewich Town Council and the developers, Cheshire East will take responsibility for the Mid-Point by pass.

By taking it further north, additional development will be possible. It will also allow us to enhance our proposition that freight should be based at Middlewich, just south of Mid-point with a new situation for residents in the town centre.

We have achieved an agreement with the developers that the council will bring the road forward. This will see a redevelopment of all the highway infrastructure and hopefully see a route directly from junction 18 on the M6 to the A54 West of Winsford.

It is important we look carefully at the town centre and Cheshire East Council will work with the town council to improve safety by reducing the number of vehicles travelling through Middlewich.

We are therefore, proposing a southern by-pass to connect into the Mid-point road to take traffic out of the town centre.

This should ultimately pave the way for a Southern Winsford relief road from the A54.

The proposition of HS2 to Crewe means we are likely to support Network Rail in relocating its freight businesses to Middlewich.

This will bring jobs and form the necessary catalyst to develop the town centre, along with a current proposition for a town centre housing development complete with marina and associated activities.

This will confirm Middlewich as the centre for canal boating in Cheshire.

We have reports on road safety from the town council and we can deliver many impacts including quick wins, but to deliver permanent change requires permanent choices to be offered and that is what we are doing.

We will work together and we will consult with you. We want to preserve the salt flats and make them a visitor destination. We will free up the congested roads and we will listen to residents as we ensure that all development is what the majority support. There is scope for a new secondary school, if required, and a commitment to all 106 monies being spent locally.

Middlewich, should be a major beneficiary of HS2 and the Conservatives, working with the town council will make this happen now. This is a seminal time for the town, a time for great hope and optimism but also a time to raise the expectations and with one voice to ensure a brighter future for the fine residents of Middlewich. Middlewich matters to Cheshire East. It is the heart of us and we need to ensure that it has a heart which is vibrant and strong.

Council leader Michael Jones