Balfour Beatty to begin construction on £108m Middlewich Eastern Bypass

Work is due to start this spring on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass in Cheshire East, after councillors unanimously approved the main construction contract with Balfour Beatty. The scheme, valued at approximately £108m, is intended to ease congestion around Middlewich town centre and improve local and regional connectivity by linking Pochin Way to the A533 Booth Lane.

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The appointment of Balfour Beatty follows delays to the project, which had been expected to start in summer 2025 but was held up amid funding uncertainties. Cheshire East Council has now confirmed that it has signed a £53.8m main construction deal with the contractor to progress the bypass into its primary building phase.

The 2.5km bypass includes new bridges over the Sandbach–Northwich railway line and the Trent and Mersey Canal, as well as a combined cycleway and footway for pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme has been designed to reduce pressure on existing junctions on the A54 and A533 and support future housing and employment development in and around Middlewich.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East’s highways and transport committee, said that the bypass had “overwhelming local support” and described the approval to begin construction as “great news” for Cheshire East and those who travel through Middlewich. He added that the project would provide a “tremendous boost” to both the town and the wider local economy.

Inflation and delays have increased the overall cost, but funding arrangements including a Department for Transport contribution are now in place to allow work to proceed.

Construction is expected to begin on site in spring 2026, with a planned opening targeted for spring 2028. Once complete, the bypass will form a key element of Cheshire East’s strategic transport improvements, supporting longer term plans for housing delivery, economic growth and improved journey times in the region.