£470m funding for Mersey toll bridge

The Government confirmed yesterday it will contribute up to £470m towards the cost of a new bridge across the River Mersey.

The Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said the planned £600m Mersey Gateway crossing in Halton, Cheshire, will boost economic growth in the region.

The six-lane toll bridge aims to improve links between Merseyside and the wider North-west and the rest of the country. It will also ease the congestion experienced by motorists using the current Silver Jubilee crossing between Runcorn and Widnes.

The project was given initial funding approval by Chancellor George Osborne as part of the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review. PA