 MERSEYSIDE was reeling from a double blow last night as the future of two major regeneration projects hung in the balance. Today appears to represent "now or never" for Merseytram with the leaders and chief executives of all five Merseyside councils meeting at 11am with its fate apparently on the line. It follows yesterday's announcement by the Government that it would not approve plans for a second Mersey bridge crossing until next year at the earliest, a bitter blow for those hoping to secure a vital new gateway to the region. The bridge plans will at least stay alive until 2006 but today could mark the defining moment for Merseytram. On Tuesday, Cllr Mark Dowd, chairman of tram promoter Merseytravel, issued an ultimatum in a letter to all five local councils. He is insisting the councils approve the financial rescue package for the tram by today or he will abort the project. In his letter, seen exclusively by the Daily Post, Cllr Dowd warns: "If Merseytravel is to maintain a realistic programme, which delivers an operational tram system by Easter 2008, I must receive a positive decision from the metropolitan district authorities by August 5, 2005. "Failure to achieve a positive decision by this date, whether this is phrased as a 'no' or a 'maybe', will result in Merseytravel aborting the project." If this is not a bluff intended to shake the authorities into more rapid action, then Merseytram appears doomed as, quite simply, a yes will not be forthcoming from all five councils today. A spokesman for Liverpool City Council last night made it clear that today's deadline could not be met. He said: "All five Merseyside authorities are working with Merseytravel to fully examine and evaluate the financial implications of the tram scheme. "The deadline imposed by Mersey-travel has not been agreed with the five authorities and is completely arbitrary and unacceptable. "The detailed evaluation work is still ongoing and no authority will be able to give their agreement until this essential work has been completed." | 
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