Mersey Gateway backers have hailed the UK government’s decision to give the project planning approval as “fantastic news”.
The approval gives the green light for the project team to begin the procurement process in earnest during 2011.
Centrepiece of the Gateway is a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes north-west England.
In addition to speeding up journey times and improving journey reliability in the region, the 1km crossing will act as a catalyst for investment and bring benefits over four times greater than the investment cost, which has been estimated at over £430 million (e267.5 million).
The existing Silver Jubilee Bridge will also be tolled as part of the project.
An estimated 4,640 new jobs will be created through direct employment, regeneration activity and inward investment.
It is anticipated that construction work will start within two years, and that the new bridge will take around three years to complete.
The approval gives the green light for the project team to begin the procurement process in earnest during 2011.
Centrepiece of the Gateway is a new six-lane toll bridge over the River Mersey between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes north-west England.
In addition to speeding up journey times and improving journey reliability in the region, the 1km crossing will act as a catalyst for investment and bring benefits over four times greater than the investment cost, which has been estimated at over £430 million (e267.5 million).
The existing Silver Jubilee Bridge will also be tolled as part of the project.
An estimated 4,640 new jobs will be created through direct employment, regeneration activity and inward investment.
It is anticipated that construction work will start within two years, and that the new bridge will take around three years to complete.
