TWO Northwich MPs are promising to push the Government for funding to solve traffic woes on the bridge which divides their constituencies.

Last week, the Guardian revealed that council chiefs and the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are stepping up efforts to ease congestion on the A533 from Barnton into town.

A £150,000 project carried out over the next year will see the LEP work with Cheshire West and Chester Council on a study which will assess possible road improvements at Winnington Bridge and further along the road, including at Winnington Hill.

Now, both Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, and Esther McVey, Conservative MP for Tatton, have promised to push the Department for Transport (DfT) for the vital funding needed to get the work complete.

Mr Amesbury said: “Along with local councillors I’ve been pushing for progress on this project since I was first elected, meeting with council leaders and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

“I’m pleased that funds have now been secured from the LEP and I’ll continue to push Ministers to provide the additional vital capital funding that’s now needed to take this important project forward.”

Ms McVey added: “The need for a better route around the Winnington Bridge area was one of the first things raised with me locally following my election. 

Northwich Guardian: Esther McVey
“I recognise how important that is for people making the journey every day and recently discussed the matter with the LEP.

“Once the study is done, I will be working with the DfT and CWAC to ensure that funding is secured.”

The aim of the study is to have evidence ready to hand over to Government next time it offers cash for major road projects – which the LEP believes could be in April 2021.

A report presented at last month’s Cheshire and Warrington local transport body meeting suggested the project could improve air quality, provide new opportunities for walking and cycling, and help support new homes and jobs being created nearby.

The LEP also hopes the project could lead to other funding opportunities from Government to support new houses being built.

Barnton Parish Council handed a 4,767-name petition over to CWAC in December 2017, calling for proposals to be drawn up to relieve congestion at Winnington Bridge.

READ > Work stepping up to tackle Winnington gridlock

Last year the council published its Northwich transport strategy with ideas on how to ease congestion on the A533 – including providing a new bridge between Winnington and Barnton, but ruling out a new link road using the Tata railway line.