LETTER: Concerns ahead of A51 Reaseheath Bypass opening

Dear Editor
I am writing to express my concerns ahead of the imminent opening of the long-delayed A51 Reaseheath bypass road.

After years of postponements, the road is now expected to open in June 2026 — more than four years later than originally planned, with the scheme initially due for completion in February 2022.

The new A51 Reaseheath spine road will form a north–south bypass route intended to serve the Kingsbourne development in Nantwich, linking the A51, B5074, Nantwich Bypass and Barony Road near Reaseheath College. At the same time, the existing A51 route through Reaseheath will be bollarded off and restricted to local access only.

Although I do not live directly adjacent to the route, I travel through the area regularly and have serious concerns about the impact this scheme may have on traffic flow, journey times and, most importantly, road safety — not only locally, but across Nantwich and surrounding routes.

The bypass has long been promoted as a solution to congestion. However, after years of delays, I fear the scheme may simply relocate existing traffic problems rather than resolve them and there are concerns that the road may fail to deliver the benefits repeatedly promised.

The spine road itself passes sensitive areas, including the Reaseheath College Equestrian Centre, while also incorporating pedestrian and cycle infrastructure. Yet in several places the carriageway appears alarmingly narrow, raising questions about whether it is genuinely suitable for the volume and type of traffic it is likely to attract, particularly larger vehicles and articulated lorries. I question whether sufficient assessment has been undertaken to ensure the road can safely cope with future demand.

I am also concerned about the newly installed toucan crossing off Reaseheath Roundabout. While such crossings are important for pedestrians and cyclists, there is a real possibility that traffic could back up when the signals are activated, potentially blocking the roundabout and creating further congestion.

There also appears to be a lack of continuity in the proposed cycleways and footpaths. At the Welshmans Lane end, the route seems to stop abruptly, with no obvious onward connection toward the A51 Chester direction. This undermines the effectiveness of the scheme for cyclists and pedestrians and risks creating confusion and potential safety issues.

In addition, there are genuine fears that congestion could simply be pushed into Kingsbourne itself. Reaseheath Way, linking into the spine road, risks becoming an unofficial rat run through the estate — already being referred to locally as a “Kingsbourne cut-through” — for drivers seeking quicker access towards Water Lode. I would question what measures are in place to prevent residential streets from absorbing diverted traffic.

I also remain unconvinced that the rerouting will save motorists significant time. The additional distance along the new route, coupled with delays at the Kingsbourne roundabout — which will also serve over a thousand new homes — could ultimately negate any intended traffic improvements.

Further concerns relate to the cumulative impact of additional development in the area. Kingsbourne Academy is currently under construction, while plans for a Co-op convenience store adjacent to the school, and the potential for further commercial development in future, are likely to generate even more traffic movements. Taken together, these developments risk creating a road network under considerable strain from the outset.

I sincerely hope the project ultimately delivers the improvements promised for Nantwich and the surrounding area. However, with the road now finally nearing completion after years of delays, I believe these concerns deserve serious consideration before the bypass fully opens to traffic.

Regards

Jonathan White
Wistaston