MOTORISTS living near the new Mersey Gateway will have "substantial discounts" on toll charges, councillors insisted last night.
Campaigners yesterday called for plans to introduce charges on the new bridge to be scrapped after the government gave the project the go-ahead.
Mersey Tunnels Users claimed charging drivers was grossly unfair and also criticised proposals to reduce the number of lanes on the existing Runcorn bridge to two.
John McGoldrick, secretary of the lobby group, said: "Most people would welcome a new Mersey crossing but no one wants it to be tolled.
"The existing four lane free bridge carries more traffic than the eight tolled lanes of the Mersey tunnels.
"It has already been revealed that if they build a tolled bridge, they will put a toll on the existing Runcorn bridge and reduce the lanes to two. This makes no sense, and is grossly unfair to local people and businesses.
"Road users contribute £50bn a year in taxes. They should not have to bear the burden and nuisance of tolls."
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling's announcement revealing the government was adding the bridge to its list of major schemes and pledging £209m, was yesterday hailed as one of the most important decisions for the region in recent years.
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