Sam Lister assesses the reaction to great news for Merseyside
BUSINESS leaders and politicians last night welcomed government backing for the Mersey Gateway as one of the most important announcements for the region in the last decade.
Campaigners have relentlessly lobbied ministers for permission to build the crossing to help ease traffic pressure on the Runcorn bridge.
The gateway is also expected to have a massive economic impact on Merseyside, generating an extra £80m a year, creating at least 3,350 jobs and making the region a more attractive business base.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling approved the plans for entry into Whitehall's programme of major schemes and agreed government funding of £209m.
Although the project still has a long way to go, yesterday's announcement is a major hurdle cleared, and means the Government has finally committed itself to the scheme.
The second bridge crossing will cost a total £500m to build and run for the next 30 years, the rest of which is expected to come from toll fees and PFI (Private Finance Initiative) funding.
Last night, Cllr Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Borough Council and chairman of the Mersey Crossing Group, thanked all the local authorities and organisations that have supported the bid over the years.
He added: "This is a real landmark day for Halton and for the whole Liverpool city region.
"It is the biggest event in Halton for many years and one of the most important announcements for Merseyside in the last decade.
"We have been campaigning long and hard for this day.
"It is our bridge to prosperity and we will not stop until we deliver this truly spectacular piece of urban architecture on the ground.
"We know we will still encounter problems and there is still a long way to go, this is the news we have been waiting for many years.
"This is the beginning of the end but it is a big vote of confidence in the future prosperity of Merseyside.
"Not only is this going to be a wonderful improvement in our transport infrastructure it is also going to be a magnificent piece of urban architecture.
"We will all be celebrating tonight."
The existing Silver Jubilee Bridge, which opened in 1961, connects Widnes and Runcorn and is the only crossing on the Mersey along the 20 miles between the Mersey Tunnels at Liverpool and Warrington town centre. Yesterday's strike action by Mersey tunnel workers only added to its already heavy traffic load.
The tolled Mersey Gateway would run from the central expressway in Runcorn to the Eastern Bypass in Widnes,
about a mile and a quarter to the east of the Silver Jubilee Bridge, which at the moment carries 80,000 vehicles a day, 10 times more than it was ever intended for.
Dick Tregrea, strategic director at Halton council, said: "The strike today demonstrates the need for more flexibility when it comes to crossing the Mersey Estuary.
"The traffic has been very heavy over it today because there is no alternative."
The Government will hand over £86m, which will be used to fund the planning application, land acquisitions and procurement process.
The rest of the money will then be made up from £123m in promised Private Finance Initiative credits and fees from tolls.
Roy Morris, chairman of The Merseyside Partnership, has lobbied the Secretary of State, politicians and rallied the private sector in a bid to win support for the plans.
He said: "This is fantastic news. A new Mersey Gateway bridge is of massive strategic importance to the performance and expansion of the Northwest economy, with its significance reaching far beyond Widnes and Runcorn. "
Halton council officers have already been in talks with companies about building the bridge and will go out to tender in the next two years. Only a handful of firms worldwide are believed to be experienced and large enough to be involved in such a project.
The next big stage of the scheme will be the public inquiry but the Environment Agency has advised the council there should not be any major stumbling environmental blocks.
A planning application for the scheme is expected to be submitted next autumn with a decision made by the end of the year. Stephen Pearse, transport expert at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is a very positive, important decision. The crossing joins up the region and will have a massive impact on South Liverpool."
Liverpool John Lennon Airport will be one of the main business beneficiaries of the crossing and has been a major supporter of the campaign.
The bridge will provide a vital road link to it and extend the catchment area of its passengers. Robin Tudor, from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said: "We are a big supporter of this and it is an important factor in our continued success."
The impact of the new crossing does not just affect businesses and commuters.
Peter Fahy, chief constable of Cheshire Constabulary, has been a keen supporter of the second crossing campaign, which he believes will help police respond to emergencies.
He said: "This is excellent news. On a day like today it shows how vital this crossing is. I have always had concerns when it comes to emergency planning for the region in the event of a major incident.
"This will give us more options."
It comes just months after Transport Minister Derek Twigg refused to grant £170m to finance Merseytravel's trams scheme.
samlister@dailypost.co.uk