ARGUMENTS for and against building a second Mersey bridge crossing will be heard by a planning inspector from May 19.
The Department of Transport set the date for the public inquiry yesterday.
It came as a new report claims the £431m Mersey Gateway will create 4,640 new jobs. Usage of the Silver Jubilee Bridge is also expected to fall by 85% by 2015 due to the new bridge.
And local rush hour journeys are tipped to take 40% less time by 2030, according to a Wider Economic Impact Report published by the Mersey Gateway Executive Board.
Cllr Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Borough Council and chair of the Gateway’s board, said he was eager for the inquiry to start.
He continued: “This project will be good for the economy, good for the environment and good for Halton.
“It will provide a long-term solution to the congestion problems that are hampering the economy, bring jobs and investment to our area.”
