Member Article

Works starts on Mersey Gateway project after green light

Work paving the way for construction of the £600m Mersey Gateway is finally getting underway.

The green light follows the decision from Halton Borough Council’s planning committee to approve Merseylink’s planning application covering improvements to the Bridgewater Junction in Runcorn.

Between now and Christmas, the Merseylink consortium will be carrying out clearing and survey work in both Runcorn and Widnes, to allow ‘coffer dams’ to be built. Dams lay the groundwork for the bridge’s foundations.

The entire project is due to be completed by 2017.

Once contracts have been formally signed with the council, Merseylink will then start work on an access road across the Salt Marsh on the south side of the Mersey.

Improvements to the Bridgewater Junction in Runcorn will form the first step in the £600m bridge project, due to officially start early next year.

A new six-lane toll bridge is the focus of the Gateway scheme, while the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge will also have a toll introduced.

Merseylink, the preferred bidders to carry out the project, say it will help create thousands of new jobs and bring vital investment into Merseyside by improving transport links with the wider region and the rest of the UK.

Merseylink project director Chris Rhead said: “This work is an exciting indication that this long-awaited project is going to start to become a reality.

He added: “The consortium is committed to involving the local communities in this project, and Halton people and commuters will be kept fully informed about the construction activities.”

Cllr Rob Polhill, leader of Halton council, said: “Once the project reaches financial close when all the contractual formalities are completed, Merseylink will be able to start making real progress on delivering our much-needed new bridge.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .