Midcheshire Independent Issue 175

FEBRUARY 2025 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US CHESHIRE Archives has appealed for memories and stories about working in the salt industry as part of an ongoing pro- ject supported by the National Lottery Her- itage Fund. As part of its call, the service held a cof- fee morning at Wins- ford Library, for anyone involved in the salt industry to share their memor ies , phot os and mementos. Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Louise Gittins said: “Salt mining has played a huge role in Winsford’s growth and the industry has seen a lot of changes. We want to talk to the people who have worked extracting it, processing it and transporting it and seen these changes first hand. “We already have some fantastic items in our Police reassure parents after false post PASSING THE SALT Historic: The salt industry played a huge role inWinsford’s growth (Photo credit: Cheshire West and Chester Council) collection showing the significance salt mining has had in this area. “However, we would like to show how things have changed over the years and capture peo- ple’s memories, photos and mementos relating to the history of salt min- ing and its impact in this part of the borough. “We are keen to hear from salt mine work- ers, both past and pres- ent, who would like to share their memories of working and social life, what salt means to them. This is a wonder- ful opportunity to add to the history of Winsford for future generations.” POLICE have reassured parents that a social media post about three men acting suspiciously around schools in Cheshire East is false. The post included an image of three Asian men and a crime reference num- ber 2662. In a statement Cheshire Police said: “Officers can confirm that they have received no reports of any incidents of this nature and the reference number is not used by Cheshire Police.” Chief Inspector Zoe Bowden, of Macclesfield’s Local Policing Unit, added: “We understand the concern posts like this can cause, but I would like to reassure parents that we have received no reports of any incidents of this nature. “Our officers regularly patrol the areas surrounding schools to help safeguard children, but if you do see anything that does not look right you can speak to officers directly or contact the constabulary via 101 or thewebsite. “We would also like to remind resi- dents to remain cautious when sharing any information from unverified sources on social media and to avoid any speculation.” There’s a clear road ahead ● Continued from page one Laura Crane, vice chair of the council’s highways and transport committee, said: “The Middlewich Eastern Bypass is a critical project for the council, alle- viating traffic congestion, supporting the delivery of 1,950 new homes and the creation of an estimated much needed, local 6,500 jobs. “This is a ‘shovel ready’ project, with designs completed, all planning permissions and statutory orders con- firmed, and contractors lined up.  “We have already invested considera- ble money in preparing for the delivery of this scheme and any further delay will have major financial implications as the government contribution to this project is a fixed amount.” The proposed bypass will be a new two-way single carriageway road that will connect a new roundabout junc- tion off Pochin Way in the north of the town to a new roundabout junction to the south, connecting with the A533 Booth Lane. The plans also include a new bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal, a new bridge over the Sand- bach-to-Northwich railway line, and a combined cycleway and footway, which supports the council’s continued com- mitment to encourage active travel and greener transport. The businesses that have indicated their ‘collective support’ for the Mid- dlewich say their growth plans depend on it being delivered. In their letter they said: “As businesses located in Middlewich, we are writing to express our collective support for this scheme. Our growth plans depend on it. “The Middlewich Eastern Bypass has overwhelming local support and has long been campaigned for by res- idents and businesses like us. That is because it is fundamental to the long-term economic growth of Mid- dlewich, and to the wider Cheshire East and region. “This project represents a critical infrastructure improvement for the town, which has long suffered from severe traffic congestion, poor air quality, and a lack of modern trans- port solutions to sustain Middlewich’s growing community. “For businesses like us, a reliable and efficient highway network is key to our operations and helps facilitate smoother trade and commerce. This scheme is an opportunity to ensure the town remains a vital hub for employment and economic activity in the region and that it can continue to attract investment.” The letter added: “Without the Mid- dlewich Eastern Bypass, the quality of life of residents will continue to be impacted and businesses will continue to be deterred away from the area. “The scheme will provide the key to unlocking the constraints that shackle future growth and prosperity in Mid- dlewich and the wider region.” The business case for the scheme was reviewed by the Department for Transport’s Investment Committee in November, which will make a recom- mendation to the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander. DEVO DEAL IS A PRIORITY THE leaders of Chesh- ire and Warring- ton’s three councils have written to the government asking for the region to be included in its pri- ority programme for devolution. This would formally open conversations with government about potential new powers and funding that Cheshire and Warrington could receive if it goes ahead with devolution. The letter to Jim McMahon, minister of state for local gov- ernment and English devolution, follows the publication of a White Paper in December. It sets out the government’s commitment to devolu- tion across England and states that the councils’ aspirations to seek a devolution agreement would include having an elected mayor. The letter was sent by Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council; Hans Mundry, leader of War- rington Council, and the leader and deputy leader of Cheshire East Coun- cil, Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman. It stated their com- mitment to working in partnership to progress a devolution agreement and establish a mayoral strategic authority by May 2026. It said: “We look for- ward to working with you and your colleagues in 2025 and are grate- ful that you have rec- ognised all the previous pre-planning work we have done together that has resulted in us being recognised for inclusion in the Devolution Prior- ity Programme.” Before any agreement, views will be sought from the region’s residents, communities and busi- nesses on how devolution could benefit Cheshire and Warrington. Any formal devolution Louise Gittins, leader of CheshireWest and Chester Council agreement would need to be agreed by each coun- cil as well as the Chesh- ire andWarrington Joint Committee, which pro- vides leadership on stra- tegic economic issues for the region.  The leaders added: “It’s clear that devolution would bring significant power and funding to the Cheshire and War- rington region. We’re ambitious for our region and we want to seize this opportunity to benefit our residents, commu- nities and businesses. “Devolution would allow us to make more decisions here in Cheshire and Warring- ton, rather than deci- sions about our region and its almost one million residents being made in London. “Being part of the government’s priority programme would put us at the front of the queue for the potential benefits of devolution – and reaffirms that we are working together to get the best outcomes for our region. “Devolution is about national government transferring powers and resources away from London and into regions. It’s not about merging councils. Individual councils would retain their current respon- sibilities and continue to provide services for local people.” Neighbouring Greater Manchester and Liv- erpool city regions already have an elected mayor with a raft of devolved powers. The Cheshire and Warrington region com- prises Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester andWarrington councils, working along- side Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington.    Lou i se Git t i ns , the Labour leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, told the BBC that the gov- ernment seemed “really interested” in the area’s proposition. She said: “We sit between the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester and Wales, the devolved powers they’ve got there, and we can see the difference that having that elected mayor will make.” And she added: “We’re already really strong in terms of our economic growth, but we’re start- ing to be left behind now and we want to be at the forefront.” Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Council Michael Gorman, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council Hans Mundry, leader of Warrington Council

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