Ms Burns said their suggested alternative to the new bridge, putting a modest toll on the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge, had not been tested as a possible solution to congestion, and the inquiry had failed to have a full discussion on climate change.
The issue of making the new bridge a toll road also met with objection.
But, speaking for the council, Timothy Straker, QC, said: “There can be no project without tolls.
“The choice, therefore is the project, with all its advantages but with tolls or a ‘free’ to use Silver Jubilee Bridge but increasingly unavailable through congestion, devoid of public transport, in an area of continuing and unrelieved deprivation, with the problems outlined enduring and exacerbated.”
Speaking outside the inquiry, Cllr Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Council, said he was confident they had delivered a powerful argument for the project.
In response to objections, he said: “I sympathise with residents, but I think many of their concerns are unfounded.”
