A WARRINGTON councillor rubbished plans to mitigate the effects of increased traffic if the Mersey Gateway is built.

Cllr Jo Crotty, in evidence submitted to the public inquiry into the second bridge across the Mersey, said the plans were “at best deficient”.

It comes a week after Warrington Council, who had originally objected to the scheme, made a U-turn and sent a letter of support.

The council said it had reached a draft agreement with Halton and would support the scheme if mitigation measures were provided if traffic increased in Halton.

David Parr, chief executive of Halton Council, suggested Park and Ride as a possible measure.

But Cllr Crotty said unknown measures would prove “insufficient”, given traffic through Warrington could increase by up to 9% with a £2.50 toll.

She said: “It is unclear as in what way a Park and Ride scheme could mitigate against a predicted increase in long- distance, or what is ostensibly ‘through’ traffic. No doubt some people who are money-rich and time-poor will be pleased to see the toll bridges because of the new road infrastructure associated with bridges, but these are likely to be in the minority.”

Steve Nicholson, project director, said Halton Council had worked with Warrington Council and would continue to do so. He disputes traffic predictions, saying traffic effects of the new bridge would be largely in Halton.