Building the Middlewich Eastern Bypass
Welcome to the second edition of our Middlewich Eastern Bypass newsletter.
The bypass is really starting to take shape now with major progress across the route and a number of key milestones achieved in recent months. Here's a quick summary of what's been happening on site.
Progress at a glance
Since our last newsletter:
- Construction has continued on the new canal and railway bridges
- The first structural concrete pours have been completed at Tetton Rail Bridge
- Work has started on the new roundabout at Pochin Way
- The River Croco culvert has been installed allowing the watercourse to pass beneath the future bypass route
- Drainage ponds and pipework have been completed in several areas
- Construction of the first sections of the new road is now underway
As part of the project, our construction partner Balfour Beatty continues to work with local schools and colleges to create learning opportunities and inspire future careers in construction and engineering.
Since our last newsletter:
- Year 10 students from Middlewich High School (pictured below) spent a week on site gaining work experience and learning about careers in the construction industry.
- A T-Level student from Cheshire College South and West has also started a placement with the project team as part of their studies.
- Project staff are supporting Middlewich High School's Year 10 mock interview event and careers fair later this month.
- Team members will also contribute to the school's Sustainability Enrichment Programme, helping students explore how transport can become more sustainable in the future.
- Balfour Beatty staff will be delivering careers talks at schools across Congleton, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach as part of the area's Employment Readiness Programme.
Over the coming weeks, work will continue across the site as construction progresses on the bypass route.
- The new canal bridge will reach an important milestone as work begins on its foundations. The Trent and Mersey Canal will remain open during this phase of construction, allowing boats to continue using the waterway as normal.
- Earthworks will continue between Cledford Lane and Pochin Way, including work on embankments and the new roundabout near Booth Lane.
- Work will continue on the railway bridge as construction progresses on the structure.
- Drainage works will continue across the route, including the creation of ponds, installation of pipes and construction of drainage ditches.
- In some areas, the new road will begin to take shape with stone being laid and kerbs installed.
As construction progresses, the canal bridge, railway bridge and the first sections of the new road will become increasingly visible across the site.
Some works will affect local roads, and we will always aim to give as much notice as possible, so you can plan ahead.
Temporary traffic lights and a reduced speed limit remain in place on Cledford Lane to allow construction traffic to cross the road safely while works continue.
To allow construction work to continue safely, Cledford Lane will be closed to traffic at the point where the bypass crosses it from 26 October until summer 2027.
Traffic management measures will also be required at Booth Lane and Pochin Way during later stages of the project.
We'll continue to share updates as plans develop. The latest traffic management information and travel updates can be found on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass webpage.
We'll continue to provide regular updates as the project progresses, so you know what's happening and what to expect.
If you want to know more about the wider benefits of what the bypass will deliver, you can find the latest information on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass webpage on the Cheshire East Council website or by contacting the project team at mebenquiries@balfourbeatty.com.
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