THE council will be able to submit further funding bids to for the £212 million Western Link scheme – if the current bid is turned down by Government.

The business case for the bypass, which would link the A56 Chester Road with the A57 Sankey Way, is expected to be presented to the Department for Transport (DfT) this month.

Transport chiefs expect to hear whether the bid has been successful in spring next year.

Once submitted, the scheme will be up for consideration against other major infrastructure projects across England, as part of the Large Local Majors Fund.

The council confirmed the Western Link could be considered for wider DfT funding, should the Large Local Majors Fund bid be unsuccessful.

In total, £142.54 million is requested from Government, with the council to contribute £70.2 million.