THE COST of the Mersey Gateway project to create a second Runcorn bridge has risen steeply from £390m to £431m.

The 11% increase was revealed as the flagship scheme - which would see an iconic new bridge built over the Mersey between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes - received the unanimous backing of Halton’s full council.

The increase of £41m has been caused by changes to the design.

However, backers of the Mersey Gateway project say the latest economic estimates show the economic benefits it will bring to Halton and the surrounding area are almost four times greater than the cost of the project.

Last month the council approved three linked planning applications at a special hearing dedicated to the scheme.

These outlined major alterations to the road network in Runcorn and Widnes, and for listed building consent to change the traffic flow and road layout on the Silver Jubilee Bridge once the new Mersey Gateway bridge has been built.

The changes to the design include environmental works along the Central Expressway such as noise barriers, replacement footbridges and landscaping works.