CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight plans to introduce tolls on the second Mersey crossing.
A decision on whether the bridge will be built in Runcorn is expected from the Government soon and tolling is very much on the agenda.
Transport minister Tony McNulty has insisted the outcome will be revealed early next year but indicated both the old and the new bridge would be tolled to cover the cost of the project.
Local residents could get a discount on the fees.
But campaign group the Mersey Tunnels Users Association, which is a member of the National Alliance Against Tolls, has criticised plans to introduce charges.
A spokesman said: "We are horrified that instead of improving movement between the two sides of the Mersey they will stifle it through tolls.
"The cost of building the existing bridge was mainly met by the government with the balance being met by Lancashire and Cheshire County Councils. Why should road users now have to pay a toll to use this? That is if they can get across when they close half of it off.
"When a road is tolled, there is less benefit as less people will use it."
Campaigners for the new bridge have always insisted they would prefer the scheme to be fully funded by the Government but that tolling is probably the only realistic way forward.
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