Mersey Gateway

Mersey Gateway

Coordinates: 53°21′11″N 2°42′00″W / 53.353°N 2.700°W / 53.353; -2.700

Mersey Gateway

Artist's Impression
Crosses River Mersey
Locale Halton
Maintained by Gifford
Designer Martin Knight, Knight Architects
Toll Yes

The Mersey Gateway is a proposed new road bridge across the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal in north-west England. The bridge will be located approximately 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to the east of the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge that connects the towns of Widnes and Runcorn. It will connect the Central Expressway in Runcorn with the Eastern Bypass and Speke Road in Widnes.[1]

It is envisaged that the new bridge will be a toll bridge, with three lanes in each direction. The local council has also stated that the current bridge will also become a toll bridge, making Halton the only Borough in England separated by only toll bridges. It was also put forward that the current bridge may be reduced to 1 lane in each direction for vehicles, with the other two lanes being converted into cycle lanes and/or pedestrian lanes.

The draft design is for a cable-stayed bridge with 3 towers across the river, and a second bridge across the canal. The total length of the crossing will be 1,000 m (3,300 ft).[1]

Current Status

The scheme was put on hold in June 2010 awaiting the outcome of the Treasury's Spending Review, but on October 17th it was confirmed by George Osborne that the £431m plan would go ahead.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "The new Bridge". New Mersey Gateway. http://www2.halton.gov.uk/merseygateway/content/theproject/thenewbridge/?a=5441. Retrieved 2008-09-10. 
  2. ^ "Mersey £431m bridge plan escapes spending review cuts". BBC News. 2010-10-17. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-11561003. Retrieved 2010-10-17. 

External links

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