WARRINGTON Council which opposed a second bridge across the Mersey has come out in support of the scheme after reaching an agreement with Halton Council.

Haltons chief executive, David Parr, yesterday told a public inquiry into the Mersey Gateway Project that Warrington had written a letter of support of the £431m project.

The draft agreement, which has not yet been signed off, follows months of negotiations.

Warrington Council, which was due to appear at the inquiry, opposed the new bridge saying tolls would force drivers to find other routes and increase traffic in the borough.

But Halton Council has now agreed to provide mitigation measures if this proves to be the case.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Parr said traffic predictions produced by Halton and Warrington differed.

He added: Our technical advisers dont believe the impact will be felt in Warrington, but their advisers do.

We have agreed that if Warrington Council can provide evidence that an increase in traffic is directly attributable to the new bridge, then mitigation measures will be provided.

This could be a park and ride scheme for instance.

We have left it open for discussion, which will form part of a signed legal document.