Minister delivers crossing body blow THE campaign to build a second bridge across the Mersey at Runcorn was dealt a devastating blow last night as the Government delayed any decision until early next year. The Mersey Gateway Partnership had originally hoped for approval for the £335m scheme in the first part of 2005 - putting progress at least 12 months behind schedule. Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman delivered the latest bad news in a letter in which he also asked Halton Council and its partners to continue working with Department for Transport civil servants to resolve "outstanding appraisal issues". The one element of good news was the minister's recognition of the "significant economic benefits" a second crossing would bring to the wider Merseyside region, suggesting that argument has now been won. Cllr Tony McDermott, leader of Halton Council and chairman of the Mersey Gateway Partnership, expressed his bitter disappointment at the delay until 2006. He said: "We have provided everything the civil servants have asked of us and it is frustrating for Halton and Merseyside residents that a decision will now not be taken until early 2006. "We are continuing to have more and higher hurdles to surmount but, as always, we will work hard to cross them. "However, at some stage the Government must step up and show the political will and ambition needed to make this bridge a reality." The minister has requested yet more work on the economic and environmental impact of the bridge and its value for money, traffic modelling and the case for Private Finance Initiative, where the bridge would be funded in part through private capital. Major Merseyside companies such as Jaguar and Peel Holdings, owner of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, have long expressed their support for the new bridge and the greater access it will give in and out of the region. Roy Morris, chairman of tourism and investment group The Mersey Partnership, said: "The Government has dealt Merseyside another major blow. The continued delays and seeming inability to reach a decision on the Mersey Gateway are deeply worrying for Halton, for Merseyside and for every road user across the North West and beyond. "I sincerely hope the Secretary of State's delays are not based on his desire to bankroll transport developments in London and the South East. To act like that makes a mockery of the government's pledges and policies for the regions. "We don't need time-wasting on further reports and studies. We need a decision. Let's hope the Government will move from procrastination to progress. "It's about time we were given some good news from the Department of Transport." David Parr, chief executive at Halton Council, was also disappointed but remained determined to make the bridge a reality. "We acknowledge that the Mersey Gateway is a highly complex project, commits a significant amount of public money and inevitably requires very careful consideration to ensure it delivers value for money to the taxpayer. "However, the Mersey Gateway team and its partners have already provided civil servants with volumes of technical data and information and we are surprised even more is now required. "We are committed to delivering this project and will continue to work tirelessly to make the new Mersey Gateway bridge a reality." The second crossing would run from the central expressway in Runcorn to the eastern bypass in Widnes and ultimately Speke Road. Any new bridge would almost certainly have to be tolled, leading to tolling on the current bridge. | 
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