Jesse Norman MP, Transport Minister, travelled from London today to jointly cut the first piece of earth for the Congleton Link Road together with Congleton MP Fiona Bruce and Cheshire East Council Leader Rachel Bailey.

At a gathering at Eaton attended by representatives from the Congleton Business Community, Cheshire East Chamber of Commerce, Congleton Town Councillors and Cheshire East Councillors and Officers together with a team from the construction company Graham, the first piece of earth to start the Link Road construction, due to be completed by the end of 2020, was cut.

Speaking at the event Fiona Bruce MP expressed her appreciation to the Government and asked Minister Jesse Norman MP to convey this saying

“Please convey our thanks to Government Ministers for providing almost £50m of funding without which the Congleton Link Road simply would not be happening.”

Fiona Bruce continued

“Every month at Transport Questions in the House of Commons, MP after MP stands up to ask for Government funding for a bypass for their town. Only a fraction can ever be granted. So we are very fortunate today and I pay tribute to all those who made the case to National Government for this Link Road – Councillors, Council Officers, residents, and the business people of the Congleton area.

Because of strong competition from literally dozens- probably hundreds- of towns wanting funding for a bypass, unless a robust case is well made to Government by local people, speaking with a strong united voice, there is no chance of succeeding- but Congleton did it and well done everyone! So, of the people it is my privilege to serve as Member of Parliament to Congleton, who will benefit from the Congleton Link Road?

Thousands of school pupils will benefit over time walking to Eaton Bank, Congleton High and other schools. They will be safer with fewer cars, fewer lorries and fewer accidents on local roads; and the air quality they breathe will be fresher, and higher air quality will also enormously benefit residents living nearby.

Local independent businesses in the town centre will benefit- a town centre recently beautifully improved under the direction of Congleton Town Council – with more people more likely to pop down to shop in Congleton Town Centre with reduced congestion. People doing business right across the town will gain – with less time sitting frustratedly in queues of traffic – and so, in turn, should the local economy benefit.

And those who choose to live here in Congleton with its strong local community and high quality of life – but need to commute elsewhere to work, as many do, whether on to the M6 to Manchester or to inter city rail connections at Crewe or who work at or use Manchester Airport or elsewhere, will benefit with shorter commuting times. So too will their families- - with more home time together for them all.

In sheer statistics Congleton Link Road will release 50 hectares of new employment land, has the potential to help local entrepreneurs create up to 3000 new jobs and to add millions to the local economy.

Fiona Bruce concluded by saying

“Congleton Link Road is much wanted – it will help future proof the development of Congleton for generations to come. Congleton is a growing town with a welcoming generous hearted community and a great future, it is heartening that national government, with this major investment, of almost £50m recognises this too.”