Balfour Beatty today announces that it has received Notice to Proceed on the £54 million Middlewich Eastern Bypass for Cheshire East Council.

The project, awarded through the SCAPE framework, will see Balfour Beatty construct a new 2.5 kilometre carriageway bypass running east of Middlewich in Cheshire, two new major junctions, a new highway bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal and a new bridge crossing Sandbach-Northwich railway line as well as integrated active travel infrastructure.

Since its appointment as Preferred Bidder, the company has worked closely and collaboratively with Cheshire East Council to progress the detailed design development alongside Balfour Beatty’s Strategic Design Partner - Jacobs UK - and manage critical third-party interfaces with Network Rail and the Canal & River Trust.

Once complete, the scheme will play a vital role in easing congestion in and around Middlewich town centre improving journey reliability for local road users.

Kay Slade, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Regional Civils business said: “We’re delighted to have received Notice to Proceed, and to be commencing work on the Middlewich Eastern Bypass, reflecting our long standing relationship with Cheshire East Council and our strong track record in planning and delivering complex transport infrastructure across the region.

“Through early contractor engagement, we have worked closely with the Council and key stakeholders to ensure that the scheme delivers real value to Middlewich and its residents. As works now get underway, I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have in creating opportunities and lasting benefits for the local community.”

Main construction will commence in May 2026 with completion expected in Summer 2028. At peak, the project will employ a workforce of 150 including a number of apprenticeship and graduate opportunities.