ALDERLEY Edge bypass is back on track - but it is still fingers crossed over funding.
Work is set to begin this autumn with the bulk of the construction underway by January next year.
The timetable published last week will bring a huge sigh of relief to residents of both Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley and lay to rest fears that the £48.4 million project will be jeopardised because of a legal hitch. The only obstacle now is the money and final clearance from the Department for Transport.
But Andy Buckley from Cheshire County Council said: "We expect the work to start in the autumn, but really it’s going to be early 2009 when a significant amount of activity starts. The main thrust of the work will be then."
Mr Buckley said initially it would be "low key works", including environmental and ecology work, tree planting, general clearance and preparation for Network Rail taking possession of the line over Christmas 2008.
By January, residents and commuters can expect to see the diggers in place to begin the major construction on the long awaited relief road.
Network Rail will construct a surface water culvert under the railway and install sheet piling across it in preparation for the bulk of the rail works over Christmas 2009.
To carry out this work, a particular type of steel has to be ordered before the end of April to arrive in time for Christmas.
The county has said it will issue an order to Network Rail to show its commitment to the scheme.
Earlier this year a high court challenge over a compulsory purchase order, threatened to put the brakes on the bypass.
A hearing has been set for June 3, but the county council hopes to resolve issues with the litigant, David Stagg, and avoid a court hearing.
Councillor Marc Asquith, Alderley division, said: "Litigation is invariably a risky affair and I would much prefer we didn’t do it. Even if he [Mr Stagg] doesn’t withdraw his challenge and assuming we are successful in the proceedings, we should be alright."
Mr Buckley added: "Cheshire County Council is still negotiating with the objector."
Even if the challenge does go before the High Court in London, Mr Buckley said the county were still looking at a final sign off by the summer.
"We are seeking approval to award the tender but it will be pending final funding approval from the DfT."
Preferred contractors Birse Civils were appointed by the county last autumn and Network Rail have appointed Birse Rail for a separate rail bridge contract. Since then, the county council has been discussing the final detail of the design and negotiating the final price.
Coun Asquith said: "Representatives from Birse Civils were at Nether Alderley Parish Council to talk about the affects it will have on local roads. So they are already starting to talk to the locals about the disruption."
Once the final price has been negotiated, the county council is in a position to get the seal of approval from the Secretary of State for Transport. It was hoped that conditional funding approval would have been given by March, but this has been delayed until after May 1 due to the forthcoming elections.
The last ministerial approved budget for the bypass was £37.9 million in 2002. Since then costs have escalated to an estimated £52.8m.
In August 2007, the DfT said local authorities would be expected to fund up to 25 per cent of cost increases above the approved budget. This equates to £3.7m over a seven year funding period for the county, but the DfT have agreed to reduce the contribution to £1.8m.
The revised total cost is currently estimated to be £48.4m, based on construction tenders received last autumn. The joint committee for the new Cheshire East council has also stated it will continue to oversee the contract when it comes into force on April 1, 2009.
Coun Asquith added: "If Cheshire County Council can get construction started, we should be okay"
