DESIGNS for the new Mersey Gateway bridge between Widnes and Runcorn have been re-submitted for planning permission, in an effort to save £30m.

Three new sets of plans have been lodged with Halton council that will reduce the cost by £30m to £600m.

The Government only agreed to fund the Mersey Gateway bridge between Runcorn and Widnes if costs were driven down.

The biggest saving has come from removing toll booths.

Instead, “eye in the sky” technology, using automatic number plate recognition cameras, will save £20m.

It also means a conventional roundabout, rather than the previously proposed Widnes Loops, would be built to the north of the new bridge to allow traffic travelling to or from the A557 Widnes Eastern Bypass to move to or from the new bridge.

On the Runcorn side, the existing Busway bridge over the Central Expressway, which was previously due to be replaced to accommodate the realigned Central Expressway, would also be retained as part of the proposed modifications.

The route of the new crossing is not being changed, but a deck underneath the carriageway has been removed.

The deck had been included to “future proof” the bridge for a possible light rail scheme.