The inquiry into plans to build a second bridge across the River Mersey is underway in the UK.
When complete, the €490 million, 1km long6126 Mersey Gateway toll crossing will link Runcorn and Widnes in County Cheshire to ease congestion on the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge.
The plans for the six-lane bridge were submitted in 2008 and the crossing is expected to help create thousands of jobs. However opponents of the scheme claim that tolls planned for both bridges would cast an economic blight across the area. Under the proposals, users of the existing free-to-use bridge would also be charged tolls once the new crossing opens.
If the public inquiry gives approval for the project, construction will start in 2011 and the bridge would open in 2014.
When complete, the €490 million, 1km long
The plans for the six-lane bridge were submitted in 2008 and the crossing is expected to help create thousands of jobs. However opponents of the scheme claim that tolls planned for both bridges would cast an economic blight across the area. Under the proposals, users of the existing free-to-use bridge would also be charged tolls once the new crossing opens.
If the public inquiry gives approval for the project, construction will start in 2011 and the bridge would open in 2014.
