A CAMPAIGN to stop local government reform which will result in splitting Cheshire in half is gaining strength as the clock ticks towards change.

An appeal last week by former Tatton MP Martin Bell to save Cheshire has now won support from a House of Lords committee.

It is calling on the Government to think again about the controversial changes before final orders are rubber stamped by the House of Lords next month.

Major concerns for the future of key services, especially education and adult social care, have been raised since the split was approved by Hazel Blears, Minister for Local Government and Communities in December 2007.

The former independent MP Martin Bell said he was asked to step in by residents and politicians opposed to the changes.

He told the Lord’s committee there was strong opposition across the county and called for a rethink.

Schools are also opposed to the reforms and Cheshire Fire Service has registered its concerns.

Reorganisation of the way local government is administered will result in abolition of Cheshire County Council along with the existing seven borough councils in the county.

They are to be replaced next year by two new unitary authorities with a brand new Cheshire East council administering Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe and Nantwich.

Elections are due to be held on May 1 and supporters of the split claim delaying tactics are designed to delay the poll and sabotage reorganisation.

The House of Lords merits committee said: "We recognise that creating two new authorities to run some of the most complex services such as child protection and adult care must pose particular challenges.

"We understand Government’s wish to achieve an early resolution on the uncertainties caused by re-organisation but suggest that this should be weighed carefully against allowing more preparation time for the new authorities to be established, bearing in mind the complexities identified."

Mr Bell told the committee: "There is no sense, financially or administratively, in splitting Cheshire in two and setting the East against the West.

"The division is profoundly undemocratic. It is opposed by people of all parties and no party."

Chairmen of primary, secondary and special schools, The Association of Head Teachers, Cheshire Schools Forum and the Cheshire Association of Governing Bodies also asked the House of Lords committee to help save Cheshire.

A letter from the Cheshire Association of Local Councils said: "It is difficult to see how sufficient resource and energy will be put towards the development of the necessary protocols and structures to enable town and parish councils to fully play their part."

And Cheshire Fire Authority said the changes were "inconsiderate and naïve."

Cheshire Association of Local Councils, Cheshire Community Council and Cheshire Federation of Women’s Institutes said they would prefer a single unitary authority.

But the campaign to stop the orders being approved by the House of Lords has been slated by Labour leaders in Cheshire who are in favour of change.

They said: "We are committed to unitary local government in Cheshire, accept the current proposed orders, deplore the filibustering tactics of the Tories and are committed to implementing the Secretary of State’s decision and support implementing it."