Eddisbury MP Aphra Brandreth has hit out at Cheshire East Council over further delays to repairs to the A530 Baddington Bridge in Nantwich.
She says the council will now not be starting repair work until at least spring 2027.
The bridge was closed to heavy traffic over 7.5 tonnes in September last year due to safety concerns.
Despite this, a number of heavy vehicles continue to flout the weight limit while others are cutting through villages to save time on the official diversion which can take almost an hour longer.
We revealed in April that the essential works needed to make Baddington Bridge safe for heavy goods vehicles could take up to nine months to complete, at a cost of around £300,000 and £400,000.
Ms Brandreth said: “I am really disappointed by the latest update from Cheshire East Council on Baddington Bridge.
“It appears that the timetable is already slipping, with the main works now not expected until spring 2027.
“Last week, I visited Audlem with fantastic local councillor Rachel Bailey, where we spoke to a number of residents about the impact this is having.
“The weight restriction at Baddington Bridge continues to force drivers on diversions that can add an hour to their journey, so a minority of vehicles are ignoring the official diversion.
“This is putting additional pressure on bridges like Woore Road Bridge and roads around the area that simply weren’t designed for this level of heavy traffic.
“Cheshire East Council has now confirmed that ecological and topographical surveys have been completed, and further ground investigations are due to start in August.
“It’s important we get this right, but residents and businesses deserve greater certainty after such a long period of disruption.
“I will continue pressing Cheshire East Council for regular updates and for everything possible to be done to keep this project moving, including working with Government to try to gain additional funding.”
Cheshire East was locked in a six-month long dispute with Historic Railways Estate (HRE) over who is responsible for the bridge since a 7.5 tonne weight restriction was imposed on it in September 2025.
The bridge spans the former Nantwich to Market Drayton railway, owned by HRE.
But they said any structural repairs or replacement road bridge is the responsibility of the highways authority.
We have contacted Cheshire East Council for an update and comment.
Back in April, they said: “We have now completed an options study looking at ways to address the issues at Baddington Bridge.
“While at this stage it is too early to confirm timescales, a programme is now being developed as part of the design process to this complex scheme.
“Once the programme is completed a further update will be provided.”
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