Toll bridge deal slammed

AN agreement between Warrington and neighbouring Halton over the proposed new toll bridge to be built across the Mersey has been slammed as “flannel.”
It offers nothing to drivers in Warrington, who will face increasing traffic congestion through vehicles diverting through the town to avoid paying the toll, according to Parliamentary hopeful David Mowat.
Mr Mowat, Prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, says there is growing concern that the impact on Warrington’s already congested roads will be severe.
He said: “Dependant on the level of the toll, traffic levels in Warrington will rise by up to 10 per cent at certain times, according to traffic models.”
As reported by warrington-worldwide yesterday (Wednesday), Warrington’s executive board has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Halton.
Halton is expected to approve it later this month.
Mr Mowat says Warrington has agreed to support the toll bridge in return for being “consulted” on traffic issues.
He said: “The agreement is flannel. There are no concrete proposals to mitigate the traffic increases in Warrington apart from sharing data on traffic levels after construction……the only thing which will make a difference is the level of toll to be imposed and the agreement is silent on that.”
Mr Mowat claims the Government has cut back on infrastructure spending in the North West to divert cash to pay for the Olympics, which are already expected to cost more than originally forecast.
He added: “We are just fiddling at the edges of what could be a major problem.”
When proposals for a new river crossing alongside the existing Silver Jubilee bridge linking Runcorn and Widnes, Warrington was strongly opposed to it being a toll bridge because of the likely traffic impact.
But the Government has made it clear that if the scheme is go ahead, it must be a toll bridge.
Coun Ian Marks, leader of Warrington Borough Council, believes it may be possible for the toll to be removed at a later date.
A public inquiry into the new bridge scheme will open at Widnes on May 19.
Pictured: Mr Mowat with the Silver Jubilee Bridge in the background.