Halton Borough Council is denying that it 'jumped the gun' by imposing a Charging Order on the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge at Runcorn.
Anti-tolls campaigners and a leading councillor from a neighbouring authority had raised concern about the decision that has been imposed prior to a public inquiry being convened.
Halton announced over a year ago that they wanted to go ahead with the building the Mersey Gateway bridge at Runcorn despite the fact that the Department of Transport said it would have to be financed by tolls.
The revised scheme also includes a provision for tolling the Jubilee Bridge, but the entire scheme is to be the subject a Public Inquiry by an independent inspector and opponents are lining-up to challenge the proposals.
Warrington Lib/Dem Councillor Jo Crotty expressed 'deep concern' that Halton Council had imposed the Charging Order on the Runcorn Bridge.
Cllr Crotty said: "Imposing tolls on a new bridge and the existing bridge will mean less traffic crossing the river at Runcorn.
"There is a very real need for a new bridge at Runcorn but imposing tolls makes no sense at all because it will actually create horrendous congestion in Warrington town-centre and increase traffic on the M6 at Thelwall.
The Mersey Tunnel Users Association also pointed-out that is was the first time in British history that a order paving the way for charges had been imposed on a previously toll-free river crossing.
But Tony McDermott, Leader of Halton Borough Council and Chair of the Mersey Gateway Executive Board said the charging order was a requirement before the public inquiry.
Cllr mcDermot said: "We are surprised that Jo Crotty appears unaware of the procedure we are required to follow.
"The proposed charging order for Silver Jubilee Bridge and the various planning applications for the Mersey Gateway are part of a composite scheme that will be considered by a single public inquiry.
"To allow this to happen, Halton Borough Council were required to make the charging order for Silver Jubilee Bridge prior to requesting the Government to confirm the Order.
"The Government can now include the charging order within the scope of the same public inquiry that will consider the rest of the planning applications.
"Halton Borough Council has no intention of introducing charging on Silver Jubilee Bridge without the Mersey Gateway.
"Jo Crotty has also got her facts wrong on the level of traffic expected to divert to other crossings through Warrington.
"At most this is estimated to bring an additional four cars in every hundred through Warrington, and this occurs mainly outside the peak travel periods.
"We are discussing arrangements to manage this modest traffic diversion with Warrington Borough Council who support the Mersey Gateway project."
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