COUNCILLORS have criticised new boundary changes which they say would ‘destroy the spirit and independence of Frodsham’.

It is less than a week since the controversial boundary changes were unveiled by the Boundary Commission which if approved, would see Frodsham, Helsby, Alvanley, Manley, Crowton and Norley joined with Bromborough and Eastham from Wirral, Hale and Ditton from Halton and Ellesmere Port to form a new Mersey Banks consistency.

Cllr Andrew Dawson, Cheshire West and Chester councillor for Frodsham, slated the changes, which would see the consistency divided by the River Mersey, as ‘absurd’ and ‘unfair’.

He said: “When the new Mersey Gateway bridge is built one will have to pay a toll to move from one side to another.

“The Hale and Ditton portions are physically distant and remote as a matter of geography from the rest of the suggested constituency and other than touching the river they are not even contiguous with the other parts.

“Frodsham is very independent in spirit and getting increasingly fed up by being ignored and taken for granted.

“The Boundary Commission is failing all the communities in these proposals.”

The changes would mean current MP for Weaver Vale Graham Evans could lose his seat as it disappears to become part of the Mersey Banks constituency.

Mr Evans said: “These are only initial proposals and there is a lengthy and important consultation process to give local residents the chance to give their views and suggest their own alternative plans.

“In the meantime, it is important to clarify that the current constituencies remain. If you live in Weaver Vale I am still your local Member of Parliament and will still be working hard to represent you.”