Mersey Gateway bridge will be free – if you live in Halton

THE new Mersey Gateway bridge will be free to use – but only for residents of Halton – it was announced today (Friday).
Chancellor George Osborne said a 100 per cent discount – which will also apply to the existing Silver Jubilee bridge – would be available for residents of Widnes and Runcorn, in recognition of the key role the crossings play in connecting and supporting economic growth in the borough, which is divided by the Mersey.
The initial discount scheme would have allowed Halton residents to make 300 free trips over the bridges per year, but this has now been extended saving regular commuters up to £300 per year more than the original proposal.
The £486 million Mersey Gateway Bridge is scheduled to open in Autumn 2017, and is predicted to create 4,500 jobs while significantly improving journey times and reliability in the area.
Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans welcomed the news.
He said: “I am delighted by the Chancellor’s announcement that both the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the Mersey Gateway Bridge will be toll free for Halton Residents.
“I have been campaigning strongly for a fairer transport system for all, so the announcement that residents can save up to £300 per year is great news for the people of Halton.
“I have been working closely on this issue with the Chancellor, Derek Twigg MP, as well and the leader and chief executive of Halton Borough Council, and I am grateful for their collaboration and hard work addressing local people’s concerns.”
The news will be welcomed throughout Halton, but it is unlikely to allay fears that any tolls on the bridge will result in increased traffic congestion in Warrington.
Councillors at Warrington have argued for a long time that through-traffic will divert through Warrington to avoid paying tolls to cross the river at Halton.
As local drivers would have been unlikely to make the diversion through Warrington any way, the change will not have any impact in the borough.