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_map = Cheshire West and Chester UK locator map.svg
| mapsize =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Cheshire West and Chester shown within Cheshire
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| coordinates = {{coord|53.213|-2.902|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
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| 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_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 Chester | 13,719 | 4.532 | 3,027 | rowspan=3 | 129,607 | rowspan=3 | 81.13 | rowspan=3 | 1,598 | CH1 | 01244 | |
Central and Grange (E05012210) | Ellesmere Port and Neston | 11,038 | 3.146 | 3,509 | CH65, CH66 | 0151 | |||||
rowspan=2 | Chester City and the Garden Quarter (E05012211) | rowspan=8 | City of Chester | rowspan=2 | 18,164 | rowspan=2 | 4.307 | rowspan=2 | 4,217 | CH1, CH2, CH3 | rowspan=9 | 01244 | |||||
Chester Castle (E04011062) | 0 | 0.0433 | 0 | CH1 | |||||||
rowspan=7 | Christleton and Huntington (E05012212) | Christleton (E04012578) | rowspan=7 | 11,103 | rowspan=7 | 55.46 | rowspan=7 | 200.2 | 2,454 | 6.154 | 398.8 | [https://christleton-pc.gov.uk/ Christleton Parish Council] | CH3 | ||
Eaton and Eccleston (E04012584) | 246 | 10.72 | 22.95 | [http://eatonandecclestonparishcouncil.org/ Eaton and Eccleston Parish Council] | CH4 | ||||||
Huntington (E04011117) | 4,134 | 5.855 | 706 | [https://huntingtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Huntington Parish Council] | rowspan=2 | CH3 | ||||||
Littleton (E04012550) | 672 | 1.111 | 604.6 | [http://littletonparish.co.uk/ Littleton Parish Council] | |||||||
Poulton and Pulford (E04012585) | 607 | 10.46 | 58.06 | [https://www.poultonandpulfordparish.co.uk/ Poulton and Pulford Parish Council] | CH4 | ||||||
Rowton (E04012557) | 460 | 2.389 | 192.5 | [http://rowtonparishcouncil.org.uk/ Rowton Parish Council] | rowspan=2 | CH3 | ||||||
Waverton (E04012580) | rowspan=3 | Eddisbury | 1,497 | 5.973 | 250.6 | [https://www.wavertonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Waverton Parish Council] | ||||||
rowspan=4 | Davenham, Moulton and Kingsmead (E05012213) | Bostock (E04011049) | rowspan=4 | 10,752 | rowspan=4 | 16.37 | rowspan=4 | 656.9 | 201 | 4.526 | 44.41 | [http://www.bostockparishcouncil.gov.uk/ Bostock Parish Council] | CW10 | rowspan=4 | 01606 | |
Davenham (E04012536) | 2,897 | 8.224 | 352.3 | [http://www.davenhampc.org.uk/ Davenham Parish Council] | rowspan=3 | CW9 | ||||||
Kingsmead (E04012165) | Weaver Vale | 4,935 | 1.357 | 3,638 | [https://www.kingsmeadpc.org.uk/ Kingsmead Parish Council] | ||||||
Moulton (E04011144) | rowspan=2| Eddisbury | 2,719 | 2.262 | 1,202 | [http://www.moultonpc.org.uk/ Moulton Parish Council] | ||||||
rowspan=11 | Farndon (E05012214) | Aldersey (E04011034) | rowspan=11 | 4,576 | rowspan=11 | 72.98 | rowspan=11 | 62.7 | 118 | 9.001 | 13.11 | [http://www.coddingtonparishes.co.uk/ Coddington and District Parish Council] | rowspan=2 | CH3 | 01829 | |
Aldford and Saighton (E04012566) | City of Chester/Eddisbury | 469 | 19.05 | 24.62 | [http://www.aldfordandsaightonpc.co.uk/ Aldford and Saighton Parish Council] | 01244 | |||||
Barton (E04011046) | rowspan=9 | Eddisbury | 211 | 5.92 | 35.64 | rowspan=2 | [http://www.coddingtonparishes.co.uk/ Coddington and District Parish Council] | SY14 | rowspan=9 | 01829 | ||||
Carden (E04012532) | No data | 3.667 | No data | rowspan=5 | CH3 | |||||||
Churton (E04012579) | 351 | 8.609 | 40.77 | [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 data | 5.763 | No data | ||||||||
Farndon (E04012581) | 2,096 | 4.324 | 484.7 | [http://www.farndonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Farndon Parish Council] | |||||||
Shocklach Oviatt and District (E04012576) | 298 | 15.33 | 19.44 | [http://www.shocklachparishcouncil.co.uk/ Shocklach Oviatt and District Parish Council] | rowspan=3 | SY14 | ||||||
Stretton (E04011171) | No data | 3.788 | No data | [http://www.coddingtonparishes.co.uk/ Coddington and District Parish Council] | |||||||
Tilston (E04012587) | 662 | 4.835 | 136.9 | [http://www.tilstonparishcouncil.co.uk/ Tilston Parish Council] | |||||||
Frodsham (E05012215) | Frodsham (E04012539) | Weaver Vale | 9,231 | 21.26 | 434.3 | 9,231 | 21.26 | 434.3 | [http://www.frodsham.gov.uk/ Frodsham Town Council] | WA6 | 01928 |
rowspan=8 | Gowy Rural (E05012216) | Barrow (E04011045) | Eddisbury | rowspan=8 | 9,213 | rowspan=8 | 49.06 | rowspan=8 | 187.8 | 943 | 12.33 | 76.49 | [https://barrowpc.org/ Barrow Parish Council] | CH3 | 01829 |
Croughton | No data | 1.140 | No data | rowspan=2 | CH2 | 01244 | ||||||
Elton | Ellesmere Port and Neston | 3,513 | 4.614 | 761.3 | 01928 | ||||||
Guilden Sutton | City of Chester | 1,484 | 3.963 | 374.5 | CH3 | 01244 | |||||
Ince | |||||||||||
Mickle Trafford and District | |||||||||||
Stoak | |||||||||||
Thornton-le-Moors | |||||||||||
Grange | |||||||||||
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 | | |||||||||||
rowspan="5" | Kingsley
| Aston | rowspan="5" | Weaver Vale | | |||||||||||
Crowton | |||||||||||
Kingsley | |||||||||||
Norley | |||||||||||
Sutton | |||||||||||
Lache
| Chester | | |||||||||||
Ledsham and Manor
| rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston | |||||||||||
rowspan="2" | Little Neston and Burton
| Neston | | |||||||||||
Puddington | |||||||||||
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
| rowspan="9" | Tatton | | |||||||||||
Antrobus | |||||||||||
Barnton | |||||||||||
Comberbach | |||||||||||
Great Budworth | |||||||||||
Little Leigh | |||||||||||
Marston | |||||||||||
Whitley | |||||||||||
Wincham | |||||||||||
Neston
| Neston | rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston | | |||||||||||
Netherpool | |||||||||||
Newton
| Chester | | |||||||||||
Parkgate
| Neston | rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston | | |||||||||||
Rossmore | |||||||||||
rowspan="6" | Saughall and Mollington
| Backford | rowspan="6" | City of Chester | | |||||||||||
Capenhurst | |||||||||||
Lea-by-Backford | |||||||||||
Ledsham | |||||||||||
Mollington | |||||||||||
Saughall and Shotwick Park | |||||||||||
rowspan="5" | Shakerley
| rowspan="5" | Tatton | | |||||||||||
Byley | |||||||||||
Lach Dennis | |||||||||||
Lostock Gralam | |||||||||||
Sproston | |||||||||||
St Paul's
| rowspan="3" | Ellesmere Port and Neston | |||||||||||
Strawberry | |||||||||||
Sutton | |||||||||||
rowspan="4" | Tarporley
| rowspan="21" | Eddisbury | | |||||||||||
Rushton | |||||||||||
Tarporley | |||||||||||
Utkinton | |||||||||||
rowspan="6" | Tarvin and Kelsall
| | |||||||||||
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
| | |||||||||||
Cuddington | |||||||||||
Dutton
| rowspan="2" | Weaver Vale | |||||||||||
Weaverham | |||||||||||
Whitby
| rowspan="2" | Ellesmere Port and Neston | |||||||||||
Willaston and Thornton
| | |||||||||||
Winnington and Castle
| rowspan="2" | Weaver Vale | | |||||||||||
rowspan="2" | Winsford Over and Verdin | |||||||||||
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
| 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 Liverpool | North (over the river) |
Halton | North |
Warrington | North east |
Cheshire East | East |
Newcastle-under-Lyme | South |
Wrexham | South west |
Flintshire | West |
Wirral | North 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:
- Birkenhead Railway: Contains sections of NCR56 and the Wirral Circular Trail and is now called Wirral Way.
- Chester & Connah's Quay Railway: Contains a section of NCR5 and is now called Chester Millennium Greenway.
- Winsford and Over Branch Line: Contains a section of regional route 71 and is now called Whitegate Way.
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)
| 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 |
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:
- Borderlands line: Services between Bidston and Wrexham Central are provided by Transport for Wales Rail and call at Neston.
- Chester–Warrington line: Includes stops at Frodsham and Helsby, with services provided by Northern Trains and Transport for Wales Rail.
- Ellesmere Port to Warrington Line (Northern): includes stops at Stanlow & Thornton and Ince & Elton before meeting the Chester-Manchester Line near Helsby; it is operated by Northern Trains according to a Department for Transport-set minimum service pattern.
- Mid-Cheshire line: Leaves the Chester–Warrington line near Mickle Trafford and includes stops at Cuddington, Delamere, Greenbank, Lostock Gralam, Mouldsworth and Northwich, with services between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly provided by Northern Trains. A single-track railway exists between Northwich and Sandbach, but it is only used for freight.
- North Wales Main Line: Services between Crewe and Holyhead are provided by Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales Rail, and call at Chester.
- Shrewsbury to Chester Line (InterCity West Coast and Wales & Borders): The section between Wrexham and Chester is currently in the process of being reinstated as a two-track railway under the direction of the Welsh Government. Services are provided by Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast.
- West Coast Main Line (InterCity West Coast): aside from stops at Winsford, Hartford and Acton Bridge, the branch line to Liverpool Lime Street diverges at Weaver Junction – the oldest of its type in Great Britain. It is currently operated by Avanti West Coast, however High Speed 2 services to Liverpool using classic compatible trains are proposed to run along this section of the line.
- Wirral Line (Merseyrail): Chester is one of the terminus stations of the line which loops clockwise around Liverpool city centre in a tunnel. The line includes stops at Bache, Capenhurst and Hooton, with a branch line from the latter running to another terminus at Ellesmere Port, with stops at Little Sutton and Overpool. The line is operated by Merseyrail with this line and the WCML being the only two electrified railways in the borough.
{{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}}
{{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:
- Two originate in Chester. (Deva Victrix) and running to Northwich (Condate) and Whitchurch (Mediolanum) respectively.
- The Roman road of Kings Street in Northwich, which runs from Middlewich to Warrington.
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 MPs – Graham 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|
- Abbeywood estate
- Aldersey Green Golf Club
- Anderton Boat Lift
- Beeston Castle Castle English Heritage
- Bickerton Hill SSSI Accessible open space National Trust England
- Blakemere Craft Centre
- Blue Planet Aquarium
- Bluebell Cottage Gardens
- Bolesworth Castle Historic house
- Burton Mere Wetlands (part of Dee Estuary RSPB reserve)
- Carden Park Hotel
- Cheshire Military Museum Museum
- Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
- Cheshire Workshops
- Chester Castle Castle English Heritage
- Chester Cathedral Abbey/Priory/Cathedral
- Chester city walls Accessible open space
- Chester Racecourse
- Chester Roman Amphitheatre Accessible open space English Heritage
- Chester History and Heritage Museum
- Chester Rows Accessible open space
- Chester Zoo Zoo
- Craxton Wood Hotel
- The Crocky Trail
- Delamere Forest
- Deva Stadium
- Dewa Roman Experience Museum
- Grosvenor Museum Museum
- Grosvenor Park Accessible open space
- Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
- The Groves Accessible open space
- Harlequin Theatre
- Hoole Hall Historic house
- Ice Cream Farm
- JF Polo Academy
- Lion Salt Works Museum
- Little Budworth Country Park Country Park
- Manley Mere
- Marbury Country Park Country Park
- Mersey View Accessible open space
- National Waterways Museum Museum
- Ness Botanic Gardens
- Northgate Arena
- Oulton Park
- Parkgate salt marsh (part of Dee Estuary RSPB reserve and SSSI)
- Parkgate sea front Accessible open space
- Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa
- Pryors Hayes Golf Club
- Rowton Hall Historic house
- Rowton Moor battle site
- St John the Baptist's Church, Chester Abbey/Priory/Cathedral
- Stonyford Cottage Gardens
- Stretton Watermill Museum
- Tirley Garth Historic house
- Vale Royal Falconry Centre
- Walk Mill
- Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse Museum
- Willington Hall Historic house
- Wincham Park
- Wirral Country Park Country Park
}}
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}}
- BBC Radio Merseyside
- Heart North West
- Smooth North West
- Capital North West & Wales
- Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West
- Hits Radio Liverpool
- Dee Radio, a community based station that broadcast from Chester.
Sport
=Football=
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 |
Tarporley
| Bohars, France |
Upton-by-Chester
| Arradon, France |
Winsford
| Deuil-la-Barre, France |
See also
{{portal|Cheshire}}
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
|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