MORE details of the new Mersey Gateway bridge will be revealed today as the £390m project enters a key stage.
The final design of the new bridge and results of lengthy reports into traffic changes and environmental surveys are expected to be announced.
Orders were submitted earlier this week proposing to make the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge a tolled crossing, and the new bridge will also be tolled.
Speaking to the Daily Post ahead of a briefing to release further information about the Mersey Gateway, Cllr Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Borough Council, said the new bridge was a “real stunner”.
Although the toll rates won’t be decided for some time, Cllr McDermott said the price at the Mersey Tunnels would be a base line.
And he stood by his promise that local residents and people using the bridge all the time would be offered discounted crossings.
Cllr McDermott, who is on the board of the North West Regional Development Agency and used to be chair of the North West Transport Board, said the bridge would benefit the whole of the North West.
He said: “The existing bridge is one of the few arteries between North and South and access to Merseyside is currently a cul-de-sac.
“Only having one crossing for 20 miles makes the Silver Jubilee bridge vulnerable, and it is badly congested.
“The new bridge will make south Liverpool and the airport more accessible. Liverpool is booming and we need to provide another link between Cheshire and Merseyside.
“Liverpool John Lennon Airport will benefit from the new bridge, as commuters from North Wales will also be able to use the bridges as a quicker access route.”
He added: “This bridge is iconic and a real stunner, but as we’ve said before the tolling issue can’t be avoided.
“For people who have to criss-cross the bridge, it wouldn’t be right for them to have to pay every single time they cross.
“The message from hauliers and other users who regularly have to waste time and fuel in traffic jams on the Silver Jubilee, is that they don’t mind a toll.
“They would rather pay for a fast, reliable crossing. The advantages far outweigh the negatives and I’m convinced this bridge will encourage huge investment in Halton.”
Planning applications for the new six-lane bridge were submitted at the end of March.
A formal response to the plans is expected later this year with work estimated to start in 2011.
laurasharpe
