Political row erupts over tolls at Mersey crossings – two years on from George Osborne’s broken promise.

A POLITICAL row has erupted over the £1,080-a-year bill facing Warrington’s motorists for crossing the new Mersey Gateway Bridge – two years on from George Osborne’s broken promise.

Mr Osborne, who will not be seeking re-election in the General Election after being appointed as editor of the London Evening Standard, pledged that motorists in Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester would have tolls waived in April 2015.

However, in January ministers made a U-turn after confirming extending the discount scheme to Knowsley, Liverpool City Council and St Helens would cost around £604 million.

The six-lane bridge over the Mersey, between Runcorn and Widnes, is due to open this autumn – an exact target date has not been set.

It will be tolled, along with the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge.


By Aran Dhillon.
Full story at Warrington Guardian.