Cheshire West and Chester

{{Short description|Borough in England}}

{{redirect|Cheshire West|the former European Parliament constituency|Cheshire West (European Parliament constituency)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}

{{Use British English|date=December 2023}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Cheshire West and Chester

| settlement_type = Unitary authority area and borough

| image_skyline = Skyline of Chester with the Cathedral.jpg

| imagesize =

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Chester, the county town of Cheshire and the largest settlement in Cheshire West and Chester

| image_flag =

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| image_shield =

| shield_alt =

| shield_link =

| image_blank_emblem =

| blank_emblem_size =

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| blank_emblem_link =

| etymology =

| nickname =

| motto =

| image_map = Cheshire West and Chester UK locator map.svg

| mapsize =

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Cheshire West and Chester shown within Cheshire

| pushpin_map =

| pushpin_map_alt =

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| coordinates = {{coord|53.213|-2.902|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}

| coor_pinpoint =

| coordinates_footnotes =

| subdivision_type = Sovereign state

| subdivision_name = United Kingdom

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = England

| subdivision_type2 = Region

| subdivision_name2 = North West

| subdivision_type3 = Ceremonial county

| subdivision_name3 = Cheshire

| subdivision_type4 =

| subdivision_name4 =

| established_title = Incorporated

| established_date = 1 April 2009

| established_title1 =

| established_date1 =

| named_for =

| seat_type = Administrative HQ

| seat = The Portal, Ellesmere Port

| parts_type =

| parts =

| government_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/councillors-and-committees |title=Councillors and committees |website=Cheshire West and Chester Council |access-date=15 December 2023}}

| government_type = Unitary authority

| governing_body = Cheshire West and Chester Council

| leader_title = Executive

| leader_name = Leader and cabinet

| leader_title1 = Control

| leader_name1 = {{English district control|GSS=E06000050}}

| leader_title2 = Leader

| leader_name2 = Louise Gittins (Lab)

| leader_title3 = Chairman

| leader_name3 = Robert Bisset (Lab)

| leader_title4 = MPs

| leader_name4 =

{{Collapsible list | title = Six MPs

| Aphra Brandreth (Con)

| Andrew Cooper (Lab)

| Samantha Dixon (Lab)

| Justin Madders (Lab)

| Esther McVey (Con)

| Sarah Pochin (Reform)

}}

| total_type =

| area_footnotes = {{United Kingdom district population citation|area}}

| area_total_km2 = 941

| area_land_km2 = {{English district area|GSS=E06000050}}

| area_water_km2 =

| area_rank = List of English districts by area

| population_footnotes = {{United Kingdom district population citation}}

| population_as_of = {{English statistics year}}

| population_total = {{English district population|GSS=E06000050}}

| population_rank = List of English districts by population

| population_density_km2 = {{English district density|GSS=E06000050}}

| population_demonym =

| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity (2021)

| demographics1_footnotes = {{NOMIS2021|id=E06000050|title=Cheshire West and Chester Local Authority|access-date=15 December 2023}}

| demographics1_title1 = Ethnic groups

| demographics1_info1 =

{{Collapsible list

| 95.3% White

| 2.0% Asian

| 1.5% Mixed

| 0.6% Black

| 0.6% other

}}

| demographics_type2 = Religion (2021)

| demographics2_footnotes =

| demographics2_title1 = Religion

| demographics2_info1 =

{{Collapsible list

| 54.5% Christianity

| 37.8% no religion

| 1.0% Islam

| 0.4% Hinduism

| 0.3% Buddhism

| 0.1% Judaism

| 0.1% Sikhism

| 0.3% other

| 5.5% not stated

}}

| timezone1 = GMT

| utc_offset1 = +0

| timezone1_DST = BST

| utc_offset1_DST = +1

| postal_code_type = Postcode areas

| postal_code = {{Hlist | CH1–4 | CH33–34 | CH64–66 | CW6–10 | SY14 | WA4–6 }}

| area_code_type = Dialling codes

| area_code = {{Hlist | 01244 | 01270 | 01477 | 0151 | 01565 | 01606 | 01829 | 01925 | 01928 | 01948 }}

| iso_code = GB-CHW

| blank1_name = GSS code

| blank1_info = E06000050

| website = {{URL|cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk}}

| module =

| footnotes =

}}

Cheshire West and Chester is a unitary authority area with borough status in Cheshire, England. It was established on 1 April 2009 as part of the 2009 local government changes, by virtue of an order under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.{{cite web|title=The Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 – Article 4|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/634/article/4/made|website=legislation.gov.uk|access-date=15 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103195800/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/634/article/4/made|archive-date=3 January 2011|url-status=live}} It superseded the boroughs of Ellesmere Port and Neston, Vale Royal and the City of Chester. The remainder of the ceremonial county of Cheshire is composed of Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington. Cheshire West and Chester has three key urban areas: Chester, Ellesmere Port and Northwich/Winsford.{{According to whom|date=August 2024}}

The decision to create the Cheshire West and Chester unitary authority was announced on 25 July 2007 following a consultation period, in which a proposal to create a single Cheshire unitary authority was rejected.{{cite news |title=County split into two authorities |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=25 July 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107084113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm |archive-date=7 January 2009 |access-date=25 July 2007}}

Governance

{{Main|Cheshire West and Chester Council}}

The council is a unitary authority, being a district council which also performs the functions of a county council. Full council meetings are held at Wyvern House in Winsford and the council has its main offices at The Portal in Ellesmere Port.{{cite web |title=Caldendar |url=https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/mgCalendarAgendaView.aspx?MR=0&M=5&DD=2024&CID=0&OT=&C=-1&D=9 |website=Cheshire West and Chester Council |access-date=9 May 2024}}{{cite web |title=Registered office address |url=https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/contact-us/registered-office-address |website=Cheshire West and Chester Council |access-date=9 May 2024}}

=Subdivisions=

As of 2019, the borough is divided into forty-five wards:{{cite web|title=Your Councillors by Ward|url=http://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0|website=cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk|publisher=Cheshire West and Chester Council|access-date=3 May 2025}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

  • Blacon
  • Central and Grange
  • Chester City and The Garden Quarter
  • Christleton and Huntington
  • Davenham, Moulton and Kingsmead
  • Farndon
  • Frodsham
  • Gowy Rural
  • Great Boughton
  • Handbridge Park
  • Hartford and Greenbank
  • Helsby
  • Lache
  • Ledsham and Manor
  • Little Neston
  • Malpas
  • Marbury
  • Neston
  • Netherpool
  • Newton and Hoole
  • Northwich Leftwich
  • Northwich Winnington and Castle
  • Northwich Witton
  • Parkgate
  • Rudheath
  • Sandstone
  • Saughall and Mollington
  • Shakerley
  • Strawberry
  • Sutton Villages
  • Tarporley
  • Tarvin and Kelsall
  • Tattenhall
  • Upton
  • Weaver and Cuddington
  • Westminster
  • Whitby Groves
  • Whitby Park
  • Willaston and Thornton
  • Winsford Dene
  • Winsford Gravel
  • Winsford Over and Verdin
  • Winsford Swanlow
  • Winsford Wharton
  • Wolverham}}

There are ninety-seven parish councils in the borough,{{cite web|title=Town and parish councils|url=http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your_council/councillors_and_committees/town_and_parish_councils/parish_councils.aspx|website=cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk|publisher=Cheshire West and Chester Council|access-date=31 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522200748/http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your_council/councillors_and_committees/town_and_parish_councils/parish_councils.aspx|archive-date=22 May 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Parish and Town Councils in Cheshire|url=http://www.chalc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Cheshire-parishes-_Sept-2013.pdf|website=chalc.org.uk|publisher=Cheshire Association of Local Councils|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531054545/http://www.chalc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Cheshire-parishes-_Sept-2013.pdf|archive-date=31 May 2015|url-status=dead}} despite there being a total of 166 civil parishes before a community governance review was undertaken by the borough council in 2014{{cite web|title=Community governance arrangements|url=http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your%20council/voting%20and%20elections/community%20governance.aspx|website=cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk|publisher=Cheshire West and Chester Council|access-date=6 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507084436/http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your%20council/voting%20and%20elections/community%20governance.aspx|archive-date=7 May 2015|url-status=live}} under section 82 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.{{cite web|title=Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 – Section 82|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/28/section/82/enacted|website=legislation.gov.uk|access-date=6 June 2015}}

class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed"

|+ Subdivisions in Cheshire West and Chester

Ward

! Civil parishes{{Cref2|Note 3}}

! House of Commons constituency

! Population (ward)

! Area (ward, km2)

! Density (ward, /km2)

! Population (civil parish)

! Area (civil parish, km2)

! Density (civil parish, /km2)

! Parish council website

! Postcode(s)

! Dialling code

Blacon (E05012209)rowspan=3 | Unparished areas (E43000272)City of Chester13,7194.5323,027rowspan=3 | 129,607rowspan=3 | 81.13rowspan=3 | 1,598CH101244
Central and Grange (E05012210)Ellesmere Port and Neston11,0383.1463,509CH65, CH660151
rowspan=2 | Chester City and the Garden Quarter (E05012211)rowspan=8 | City of Chesterrowspan=2 | 18,164rowspan=2 | 4.307rowspan=2 | 4,217CH1, CH2, CH3rowspan=9 | 01244
Chester Castle (E04011062)00.04330CH1
rowspan=7 | Christleton and Huntington (E05012212)Christleton (E04012578)rowspan=7 | 11,103rowspan=7 | 55.46rowspan=7 | 200.22,4546.154398.8[https://christleton-pc.gov.uk/ Christleton Parish Council]CH3
Eaton and Eccleston (E04012584)24610.7222.95[http://eatonandecclestonparishcouncil.org/ Eaton and Eccleston Parish Council]CH4
Huntington (E04011117)4,1345.855706[https://huntingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Huntington Parish Council]rowspan=2 | CH3
Littleton (E04012550)6721.111604.6[http://littletonparish.co.uk/ Littleton Parish Council]
Poulton and Pulford (E04012585)60710.4658.06[https://www.poultonandpulfordparish.co.uk/ Poulton and Pulford Parish Council]CH4
Rowton (E04012557)4602.389192.5[http://rowtonparishcouncil.org.uk/ Rowton Parish Council]rowspan=2 | CH3
Waverton (E04012580)rowspan=3 | Eddisbury1,4975.973250.6[https://www.wavertonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Waverton Parish Council]
rowspan=4 | Davenham, Moulton and Kingsmead (E05012213)Bostock (E04011049)rowspan=4 | 10,752rowspan=4 | 16.37rowspan=4 | 656.92014.52644.41[http://www.bostockparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Bostock Parish Council]CW10rowspan=4 | 01606
Davenham (E04012536)2,8978.224352.3[http://www.davenhampc.org.uk/ Davenham Parish Council]rowspan=3 | CW9
Kingsmead (E04012165)Weaver Vale4,9351.3573,638[https://www.kingsmeadpc.org.uk/ Kingsmead Parish Council]
Moulton (E04011144)rowspan=2| Eddisbury2,7192.2621,202[http://www.moultonpc.org.uk/ Moulton Parish Council]
rowspan=11 | Farndon (E05012214)Aldersey (E04011034)rowspan=11 | 4,576rowspan=11 | 72.98rowspan=11 | 62.71189.00113.11[http://www.coddingtonparishes.co.uk/ Coddington and District Parish Council]rowspan=2 | CH301829
Aldford and Saighton (E04012566)City of Chester/Eddisbury46919.0524.62[http://www.aldfordandsaightonpc.co.uk/ Aldford and Saighton Parish Council]01244
Barton (E04011046)rowspan=9 | Eddisbury2115.9235.64rowspan=2 | [http://www.coddingtonparishes.co.uk/ Coddington and District Parish Council]SY14rowspan=9 | 01829
Carden (E04012532)No data3.667No datarowspan=5 | CH3
Churton (E04012579)3518.60940.77[http://www.churtonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Churton Parish Council]
Clutton (E04012533)

| 357

| 5.91

| 60.39

| rowspan=2 | [http://www.coddingtonparishes.co.uk/ Coddington and District Parish Council]

Coddington (E04011075)No data5.763No data
Farndon (E04012581)2,0964.324484.7[http://www.farndonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Farndon Parish Council]
Shocklach Oviatt and District (E04012576)29815.3319.44[http://www.shocklachparishcouncil.co.uk/ Shocklach Oviatt and District Parish Council]rowspan=3 | SY14
Stretton (E04011171)No data3.788No data[http://www.coddingtonparishes.co.uk/ Coddington and District Parish Council]
Tilston (E04012587)6624.835136.9[http://www.tilstonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Tilston Parish Council]
Frodsham (E05012215)Frodsham (E04012539)Weaver Vale9,23121.26434.39,23121.26434.3[http://www.frodsham.gov.uk/ Frodsham Town Council]WA601928
rowspan=8 | Gowy Rural (E05012216)Barrow (E04011045)Eddisburyrowspan=8 | 9,213rowspan=8 | 49.06rowspan=8 | 187.894312.3376.49[https://barrowpc.org/ Barrow Parish Council]CH301829
CroughtonNo data1.140No datarowspan=2 | CH201244
EltonEllesmere Port and Neston3,5134.614761.301928
Guilden SuttonCity of Chester1,4843.963374.5CH301244
Ince
Mickle Trafford and District
Stoak
Thornton-le-Moors
Grange

| Ellesmere Port

| Ellesmere Port and Neston

Great Boughton

| Great Boughton

| rowspan="2" | City of Chester

|

Handbridge Park

| Chester

|

rowspan="2" | Hartford and Greenbank

| Hartford

| rowspan="3" | Weaver Vale

|

Northwich
Helsby

| Helsby

|

Hoole

| Chester

| City of Chester

|

rowspan="5" | Kingsley

| Aston

| rowspan="5" | Weaver Vale

|

Crowton
Kingsley
Norley
Sutton
Lache

| Chester

| City of Chester

|

Ledsham and Manor

| Ellesmere Port

| rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston

rowspan="2" | Little Neston and Burton

| Neston

|

Puddington

| City of Chester

rowspan="9" | Malpas

| Agden

| rowspan="9" | Eddisbury

|

Chidlow
Chorlton
Cuddington
Malpas
No Man's Heath and District
Threapwood
Tushingham-cum-Grindley, Macefen and Bradley
Wigland
rowspan="9" | Marbury

| Anderton with Marbury

| rowspan="9" | Tatton

|

Antrobus
Barnton
Comberbach
Great Budworth
Little Leigh
Marston
Whitley
Wincham
Neston

| Neston

| rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston

|

Netherpool

| Ellesmere Port

Newton

| Chester

| City of Chester

|

Parkgate

| Neston

| rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston

|

Rossmore

| Ellesmere Port

rowspan="6" | Saughall and Mollington

| Backford

| rowspan="6" | City of Chester

|

Capenhurst
Lea-by-Backford
Ledsham
Mollington
Saughall and Shotwick Park
rowspan="5" | Shakerley

| Allostock

| rowspan="5" | Tatton

|

Byley
Lach Dennis
Lostock Gralam
Sproston
St Paul's

| Ellesmere Port

| rowspan="3" | Ellesmere Port and Neston

Strawberry

| Ellesmere Port

Sutton

| Ellesmere Port

rowspan="4" | Tarporley

| Little Budworth

| rowspan="21" | Eddisbury

|

Rushton
Tarporley
Utkinton
rowspan="6" | Tarvin and Kelsall

| Clotton Hoofield

|

Delamere and Oakmere
Duddon and Burton
Kelsall
Tarvin
Willington
rowspan="11" | Tattenhall

| Beeston

|

Broxton
Burwardsley
Chowley
Duckington
Golborne David
Handley
Hargrave and Huxley
Harthill
Tattenhall and District
Tiverton and Tilstone Fearnall
rowspan="3" | Upton

| Bache

| rowspan="3" | City of Chester

|

Moston
Upton-by-Chester
rowspan="4" | Weaver and Cuddington

| Acton Bridge

| Weaver Vale

|

Cuddington

| Eddisbury

Dutton

| rowspan="2" | Weaver Vale

Weaverham
Whitby

| Ellesmere Port

| rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston

Willaston and Thornton

| Ellesmere Port

|

Winnington and Castle

| Northwich

| rowspan="2" | Weaver Vale

|

rowspan="2" | Winsford Over and Verdin

| Whitegate and Marton

Winsford

| rowspan="5" | Eddisbury

rowspan="2" | Winsford Swanlow and Dene

| Darnhall

Winsford
rowspan="2" | Winsford Wharton

| Stanthorne and Wimboldsley

Winsford
rowspan="2" | Witton and Rudheath

| Northwich

| Weaver Vale

| rowspan="2" |

Rudheath

| Tatton

colspan=12 style=text-align:left | Footnotes: Geographic codes,{{cite web |title=Register of Geographic Codes (November 2020) for the United Kingdom |url=https://geoportal.statistics.gov.uk/datasets/register-of-geographic-codes-november-2020-for-the-united-kingdom |website=geoportal.statistics.gov.uk |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=21 December 2020 |date=26 November 2020}} area and population statistics{{cite web |title=Cheshire West and Chester unitary district |url=https://citypopulation.de/en/uk/admin/cheshire_west_and_chester/E06000050__cheshire_west_and_chester/ |website=citypopulation.de |publisher=City Population |access-date=21 December 2020 |date=27 June 2020}}

;Notes

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}}

{{Cnote2|Note 3|3: Civil parishes highlighted in bold have unilaterally declared town status under section 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.}}

{{Cnote2 End}}

{{Expand section|date=February 2018}}

=Members of Parliament=

{{See also|Parliamentary constituencies in Cheshire}}

File:Official_portrait_of_Samantha_Dixon,_2022_(cropped).jpg|Chester North and Neston
Samantha Dixon
{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}}} Labour

File:Official_portrait_of_Aphra_Brandreth_MP_crop_2.jpg|Chester South and Eddisbury
Aphra Brandreth
{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}}} Conservative

File:Official_portrait_of_Justin_Madders_MP_crop_2.jpg|Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Justin Madders
{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}}} Labour

File:Andrew_Cooper_MP_Official.jpg|Mid Cheshire
Andrew Cooper
{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}}} Labour

File:Official_portrait_of_Sarah_Pochin_MP.jpg|Runcorn and Helsby
Sarah Pochin
{{Color box|{{party color|Reform UK}}}} Reform UK

File:Official_portrait_of_Esther_McVey_crop_2.jpg|Tatton
Esther McVey
{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}}} Conservative

Demography

=Ethnicity=

{{bar box

|title=Ethnicity in Cheshire West and Chester (2021)

|titlebar=#ddd

|left1=Ethnicity

|right1=Percent(%)

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|White|red|95.3}}

{{bar percent|Asian|orange|2.0}}

{{bar percent|Mixed|green|1.5}}

{{bar percent|Black|yellow|0.6}}

{{bar percent|Other|violet|0.6}}

}}

In line with nearly every local government district in England and Wales, the majority of the population describe themselves as 'white'. The exact figure – 95.3% – is comparable with metropolitan counties such as Merseyside, non-metropolitan counties such as Cumbria and principal areas throughout Wales. This would suggest that the figure is not a significant outlier nationwide.

The next largest ethnic group in the borough is Asian, who along with other ethnic minorities are supported by the Cheshire Asian & Minority Communities Council, a registered charity headquartered in Chester.

=Religion=

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Cheshire West and Chester (2021)

|titlebar=#ddd

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent(%)

|float=left

|bars=

{{bar percent|Christian|DodgerBlue|54.5}}

{{bar percent|No religion|Grey|37.8}}

{{bar percent|Undeclared|black|5.5}}

{{bar percent|Muslim|Green|1.0}}

{{bar percent|Hindu|Orange|0.4}}

{{bar percent|Other|grey|0.3}}

{{bar percent|Buddhist|Gold|0.3}}

{{bar percent|Jewish|Blue|0.1}}

{{bar percent|Sikh|yellow|0.1}}

}}

The main religion in Cheshire West and Chester is Christianity, with a percentage figure above the average for England (46.3%, 2021).{{NOMIS2021|id=E92000001|title=England Country|access-date=10 August 2023}} The single largest church is the Church of England, with the borough being served by the Chester Archdeaconry, with six deaneries and an average of twenty parish churches in each deanery. Roman Catholicism also has a significant presence across the borough, with all its churches located in the Diocese of Shrewsbury.

Methodist churches in the borough form groups averaging ten, known as 'circuits' (the four in Cheshire West and Chester are all part of the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District). More marginal churches include Assemblies of God, Baptist Union, Elim Pentecostal, United Reformed and the English Presbyterian Church of Wales in Chester.

Aside from churches, there are two mosques in Cheshire West and Chester – one each in Chester and Ellesmere Port – which were subjected to property theft{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Rachel|title=Heartless thieves steal plants from mosque during Ramadan|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-mosque-targeted-in-ramadan-7520568|newspaper=Chester Chronicle|date=28 July 2014|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222402/http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-mosque-targeted-in-ramadan-7520568|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live}} and racially aggravated disorder{{cite news|last1=Flint|first1=Rachel|title=Ellesmere Port man arrested after pig's head placed outside Islamic centre|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/ellesmere-port-man-arrested-after-7985814|newspaper=Chester Chronicle|date=23 October 2014|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222751/http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/ellesmere-port-man-arrested-after-7985814|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live}} respectively in 2014.

Geography

class="wikitable sortable"

|+Neighbouring council areas

!Local authority

!In relation to the district

City of LiverpoolNorth (over the river)
HaltonNorth
WarringtonNorth east
Cheshire EastEast
Newcastle-under-LymeSouth
WrexhamSouth west
FlintshireWest
WirralNorth west

=Local nature reserves=

Cheshire West and Chester Council maintains six Local Nature Reserves: Burton Mill Wood, Helsby Quarry, Marshall's Arm, Rivacre Valley, Stanney Wood, and Whitby Park.{{cite web|url= http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/planning/specialist_environmental_servs/natural_environment/biodiversity/nature_conservation_sites/statutory_sites.aspx|title= Statutory Sites|publisher= Cheshire West and Chester council|access-date= 28 January 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110103164522/http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/planning/specialist_environmental_servs/natural_environment/biodiversity/nature_conservation_sites/statutory_sites.aspx|archive-date= 3 January 2011|url-status= dead}}

Transport

=Air=

There are no passenger airports in the borough; only a grass airfield exists in Little Budworth, with the nearest being Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport.

=Cycling=

National routes which pass through the borough include NCR5, NCR45 (Mercian Way), NCR56, NCR562, NCR563, NCR568 and NCR573. Regional routes include 70 (Cheshire Cycleway) and 71.

Three disused railways in the borough have been converted to off-road cycleways, including:

The Shropshire Union Canal towpath between Waverton and the National Waterways Museum is paved with asphalt; it is a shared-use route between cyclists and pedestrians for a distance of {{convert|12.5|mi|km}}.

In 2009, Chester was awarded the status of Cycling Town by Cycling England. To reflect this, a series of colour-coded signposted routes around the city were devised in 2012.{{cite web|title=Complete Library of Free Chester Cycle Route Maps|url=http://www.chestercyclecity.org/?p=623|website=chestercyclecity.org| date=10 January 2015 |publisher=Chester Cycling Campaign|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529154607/http://www.chestercyclecity.org/?p=623|archive-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live}} The total length of new signposted routes created by the project was {{convert|38|mi|km}}, bringing the overall total in the borough to {{convert|312.5|mi|km}}. The total funding received from the cycling town project, which ended in 2011 when Cycling England was disbanded, was £4.4 million.{{cite web|title=Cheshire West and Chester Council Cycling Strategy|url=https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/documents/parking-roads-and-travel/cycling/documents-2016/cycling-strategy.pdf|website=cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk|publisher=Cheshire West and Chester Council|access-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320051847/https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/documents/parking-roads-and-travel/cycling/documents-2016/cycling-strategy.pdf|archive-date=20 March 2017|url-status=dead}} A similar network of over {{convert|30|mi|km}} of cycle routes branded the Ellesmere Port Grenway has been proposed by the town's development board.{{cite web|title=Ellesmere Port Greenway|url=http://www.ellesmereportdevelopment.co.uk/?page_id=393|website=ellesmereportdevelopment.co.uk|publisher=Invest in Ellesmere Port|access-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819190936/http://www.ellesmereportdevelopment.co.uk/?page_id=393|archive-date=19 August 2017|url-status=live}}

=Park and Ride=

Chester has four park and ride sites located adjacent to radial routes on the city's outskirts: Boughton Heath, Sealand Road, Upton and Wrexham Road; they run on two lines which intersect at Chester Bus Interchange. A fifth site is proposed near Hoole Village.

class="wikitable"

|+ Chester Park and Ride services

Route

! Terminus

! Intermediate stop

! colspan=4 | Chester city centre

! Intermediate stop

! Terminus

Blue (PR1)

| Upton (Zoo)

| Countess of Chester Hospital

| Delamere Street

| rowspan=2 | Chester Bus Interchange

| rowspan=2 | Foregate Street

| Pepper Street

| Grosvenor Road

| Wrexham Road

Green (PR2)

| Sealand Road

| Sealand Road (Greyhound Park)

| Canal Street

|

| Boughton

| Boughton Heath

Hooton station is designated as a park and ride facility for railway services on the Wirral Line; it contains a 418-space car park.{{cite web|title=Hooton|url=https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/stations/hooton.aspx|website=merseyrail.org|publisher=Merseyrail|access-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825231946/https://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/stations/hooton.aspx|archive-date=25 August 2017|url-status=live}}

=Railway=

File:Chester railway station 1.JPG

Chester railway station is the hub of the railway network in the borough, with around 4.7 million passengers annually.{{Cite web|url=https://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates|title=Estimates of station usage {{!}} Office of Rail and Road|website=orr.gov.uk|access-date=17 May 2019}} Passenger numbers doubled to this figure in the ten years to 2015, making the station the eighth-busiest in North West England.{{cite web|title=Chester Railway Station sees passenger numbers double in 10 years|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-railway-station-sees-passenger-10810360|website=chesterchronicle.co.uk|publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=29 January 2016|access-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130004302/http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chester-railway-station-sees-passenger-10810360|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=live}}

Railway lines, and their associated train operating companies in the borough, include:

{{Location map+|Cheshire|width=800|float=center

|caption=Location of railway stations in Cheshire West and Chester.
8px Turquoise: Transport for Wales stations
8px Green: West Midlands Trains stations
8px Yellow: Merseyrail stations
8px Blue: Northern stations

|places=

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.1968|long=-2.8798|label=Chester|label_size=85|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.292|long=-3.064|label=Neston|label_size=85|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.275|long=-2.771|label=Helsby|label_size=85|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.296|long=-2.723|label=Frodsham|label_size=85|mark=Turquoise pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.278|long=-2.841|label=Stanlow and Thornton|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.277|long=-2.816|label=Ince and Elton|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.232|long=-2.732|label=Mouldsworth|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.229|long=-2.667|label=Delamere|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.240|long=-2.599|label=Cuddington|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.251|long=-2.533|label=Greenbank|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.261|long=-2.497|label=Northwich|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.268|long=-2.465|label=Lostock Gralam|label_size=85|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.191|long=-2.495|label=Winsford|label_size=85|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.242|long=-2.554|label=Hartford|label_size=85|mark=Green pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.266|long=-2.602|label=Acton Bridge|label_size=85|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.208|long=-2.891|label=Bache|label_size=85|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.260|long=-2.942|label=Capenhurst|label_size=85|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.297|long=-2.977|label=Hooton|label_size=85|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.285|long=-2.944|label=Little Sutton|label_size=85|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.284|long=-2.925|label=Overpool|label_size=85|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Cheshire|lat=53.282|long=-2.896|label=Ellesmere Port|label_size=85|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=top}}

}}

==Current and proposed improvements==

The sections of railway between Chester–Stockport and Chester–Warrington Bank Quay are proposed for electrification during the period 2019–2024.{{cite web|title=Electrification Task Force Final Report Revealed|url=http://www.railnorth.org/news/electrification-task-force-final-report-revealed/|website=railnorth.org|publisher=Rail North|date=5 March 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614071233/http://www.railnorth.org/news/electrification-task-force-final-report-revealed/|archive-date=14 June 2017|url-status=dead}}

=Road=

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"

|+ Motorways and numbered roads in Cheshire West and Chester

style="width: 20em;"| Motorways

! style="width: 40em;"| A roads

! style="width: 40em;"| B roads

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

{{div col end}}

| {{div col|colwidth=10em}}

{{div col end}}

| {{div col|colwidth=10em}}

  • B5069
  • B5074
  • B5075
  • B5081
  • B5082
  • B5130
  • B5132
  • B5133
  • B5134
  • B5135
  • B5136
  • B5142
  • B5144
  • B5151
  • B5152
  • B5153
  • B5309
  • B5355
  • B5391
  • B5393
  • B5394
  • B5395
  • B5445
  • B5463

{{div col end}}

File:A556, Chester Road, Sandiway - geograph.org.uk - 192607.jpg west of Northwich looking towards Sandiway]]

Motorways and primary routes in the borough which are maintained by National Highways (trunk roads de jure) include the M6, M53, M56, A55, A483, A494, A550 and a short section of the A41 in Hooton. Other primary routes which are maintained by the council (principal roads de jure) include the A41, A49, A51, A54, A56, A483, A530, A533, A534, A556, A5115, A5116, A5117 and A5268.

Chester and Ellesmere Port – both primary route destinations – form the hub of the road network in Cheshire West and Chester, with routes of national importance carrying traffic in all directions to locations including Flintshire, Halton, Wirral and Wrexham.

European Route E05 is routed via the M6, carrying international traffic between Scotland, North West England, the West Midlands and France via Southampton. European route E22 is routed via the A494 and M56, carrying international traffic between Ireland (the route in fact begins at the Port of Holyhead), North Wales, North West England, Yorkshire and the Netherlands. Both routes meet at Lymm Interchange, which lies in neighbouring Cheshire East.

Three Roman roads exist in Cheshire West and Chester:

The section of the A51 between its western terminus and the B5132 was named as one of the most congested roads in the United Kingdom by INRIX in August 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/151865/chester-road-one-of-most-congested-outside-london.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202623/http://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/151865/chester-road-one-of-most-congested-outside-london.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2015|work=The Standard|title=Chester Road one of most congested outside London|date=25 August 2015|access-date=3 September 2015}}

Three local MPsGraham Evans, Justin Madders and Chris Matheson – raised safety concerns about the M56 between J12 and J14 in parliament after more than 160 incidents were recorded since 2011. In response, Andrew Jones, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, confirmed that an upgrade to smart motorway will only take place after 2020.{{cite web|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/weaver-vale-mp-raises-m56-10459378|title=Weaver Vale MP raises M56 issues in House of Commons|website=chesterchronicle.co.uk|publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=18 November 2015|access-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124004007/http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/weaver-vale-mp-raises-m56-10459378|archive-date=24 November 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/m56-smart-motorway-wont-happen-10475727|title=M56 Smart Motorway won't happen|website=chesterchronicle.co.uk|publisher=Chester Chronicle|date=21 November 2015|access-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208161216/http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/m56-smart-motorway-wont-happen-10475727|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}

=Water=

Navigable waterways in the borough include the Manchester Ship Canal, Shropshire Union Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal and the Weaver Navigation. The latter two are connected together by the Anderton Boat Lift, near Northwich; this is the only caisson lift lock in the United Kingdom.

Places of interest

=Tourist attractions=

{{EngPlacesKey|align=right}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

}}

Media

=Television=

The area is served by BBC North West and ITV Granada with television signals received from the Winter Hill TV transmitter.{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter |date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=20 May 2024}}

=Radio=

Radio stations for the area are:{{Cite web |url=https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news-and-views/incidents/weather-disruptions/radio-stations|title=Radio Stations|website=Cheshire West and Chester Council|access-date=20 May 2024}}

Sport

=Football=

File:Deva Stadium.jpg

Chester FC are the highest ranked club in the area and compete in the National League North (the sixth tier of English football. Northwich has four semi-professional teams – Barnton, Northwich Victoria, Witton Albion and 1874 Northwich – all of whom play in regional leagues. Winsford is also represented in the non-league pyramid by Winsford United, and Ellesmere Port by Vauxhall Motors FC – the former works team of the Vauxhall Ellesmere Port assembly plant.

Below level ten of the English pyramid are county-wide amateur leagues, with two covering the geographic area of the borough – the Cheshire Association Football League and West Cheshire Association Football League. Although several clubs are members of the former, many more compete in the latter. Below that is the Chester & Wirral Football League, and also the Mid-Cheshire district leagues who cater for the areas of knutsford, Northwich, Middlewich and Winsford where teams representing neighbourhoods/villages and/or pubs/social clubs ('pub teams') compete.

The largest football stadium in Cheshire West and Chester is the Deva Stadium, home to Chester FC, although the ground famously straddles the England-Wales border.

Twin towns

{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}

Whilst the borough per se does not have any twinning agreements, several of its settlements have agreements predating its creation in 2009, listed below:

class="wikitable"
Settlement(s)

! Twin town(s)

{{ubl|Barrow|Littleton}}

| Aubignan, France

Chester

| {{ubl|Sens, France|Lörrach, Germany|Senigallia, Italy}}

Ellesmere Port

| Reutlingen, Germany

Malpas

| Questembert, France

Northwich

| {{ubl| Dole, France|Carlow, Ireland}}

Tarporley

| Bohars, France

Upton-by-Chester

| Arradon, France

Winsford

| Deuil-la-Barre, France

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic Location

|title = Neighbouring ceremonial/preserved counties and principal areas

|Centre = Cheshire West and Chester

|North = Merseyside/Cheshire
Liverpool/Halton
River Mersey

|Northeast = Cheshire
Warrington

|East = Cheshire
Cheshire East

|Southeast = Cheshire
Cheshire East

|South = Shropshire

|Southwest = Clwyd
Wrexham

|West = Clwyd
Flintshire

|Northwest = Merseyside
Wirral

}}

{{Cheshire}}

{{NW England}}

{{Unitary authorities of England}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheshire West And Chester}}

Category:Districts of Cheshire

Category:English unitary authorities created in 2009

Category:Unitary authority districts of England

Category:Boroughs in England