COUNCILLORS considering an application for the long awaited Middlewich bypass have expressed grave concerns about the proposals.

The application for planning permission to construct the eastern bypass southern section, submitted by Cheshire County Council, was discussed by planning chiefs at Congleton Borough Council last week and a number of problems were highlighted.

Although councillors support the application for the road, which will run from land south of Pochin Way to the A553 Tetton Bridge, they agreed that certain measures need to be in place.

Clr Paul Edwards believes the proposed route, which would dissect Cledford Lane, would have a serious impact on people living in the Cledford area.

He said: "If the plan stays as it is then people living in Cledford will have to go out towards Sandbach, through Sproston and back on the A54 just to get to the shops in Middlewich or to go to school in Cledford."

Clr Mike Parsons said the borough council wants to ensure Cledford Lane remains open, which would mean the bypass would have to cross the lane with a bridge.

He said: "The two likely problems with that would be the added cost of building a bridge and excess water running from the new road outweighing the capacity of Sanderson's Brooks and the drainage potential of the surrounding land which is a flood plain." But Clr Edwards is worried that the cost of building a bridge could throw the project, which has been in the pipeline for more than 10 years, completely off course.

He said: "If they put a bridge in the cost would be horrendous and I'm worried that if they do this it may kick the plans out, losing valuable time to get the bypass built."

A spokeswoman for Cheshire County Council said: "All comments received during the consultation will be registered and considered by members of the development regulatory committee when it meets to consider the proposed scheme, at a date to to be arranged."