THE £170m pulled from Liverpool's derailed tram scheme should be put towards plans for a £300m new Mersey bridge crossing, the project's leader urged last night.
Tony McDermott, leader of Halton council, said it made sense that some of the money should be redirected towards plans for a second Mersey Bridge between Runcorn and Widnes.
The scheme, known as the Mersey Gateway, would only require £64m Government funding, meaning the remaining £110m could be spent on other projects.
Trains minister Derek Twigg refused to release £170m earmarked for Merseytravel's £500m tram project on Tuesday, on the grounds the Government had not received sufficient guarantees from Liverpool City Council.
The MP for Halton said the money would remain on the table for "good value" transport schemes on Merseyside.
But yesterday it was revealed that counties including Cheshire and Cumbria are now also vying for a share of the cash.
Cllr McDermott said the competition made it even more vital that the Mersey Gateway scheme was high up on the North
West Transport agenda. He said he did not want to take any money away from the trams if there was a chance that Line One, between Liverpool and Kirby, could be resurrected.
But he stressed that, if the money was up for grabs, then the Mersey Gateway project should benefit.
Cllr McDermott said: "It makes sense if the £170m is not going to be used for the trams, it should be kept in Merseyside and the New Mersey Crossing is a project that should get some of it.
"But it shouldn't be a question of either or. Merseyside deserves both projects. It is not a question of hoping the tram project fails, so we can get the bridge.
"They are completely separate projects and not connected in any way whatsoever. We still want the trams."
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