.jpg "Silver Jubilee Bridge")
The public inquiry into plans to build a new bridge and impose tolls on crossing the Mersey at Runcorn has drawn to a conclusion.
The inquiry into the Mersey Gateway Project has heard weeks of arguments for and against the project and handing it over to a profit-making private corporation.
The Mersey Gateway scheme proposes a new tolled bridge over the Mersey, between the Central Expressway in Runcorn and Eastern Bypass in Widnes.
The existing Silver Jubilee Bridge will be "de-linked" from trunk roads, intended for use only by local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists.
Halton Council insist a new bridge is needed to ease congestion and that the only way of achieving it is through private finance and charging tolls.
Anti-toll campaigners say that charging for the crossing will be a blight the region's economy and cause hardship for individuals. If the existing Runcorn Bridge is tolled it will be the first time such a move has happened in British history.
Environment campaigners say there is no need for a new road bridge and more investment should go into public transport improvements.
Cllr Tony McDermott, Leader of Halton Borough Council and Chair of the Mersey Gateway Executive Board, said: "We are very satisfied that the inspector has looked in detail at our plans and heard from everyone who wanted to give their views.
"We believe our plans are robust and are confident that we have put the best possible case for this project to the inspector."
He added: "This is the biggest and most important project I have ever been involved in. It can be the catalyst that delivers thousands of new jobs and opens up huge areas of Runcorn and Widnes for regeneration, and would also fund major improvements to our public transport systems here in Halton."
When the inquiry opened on 19th May Cllr McDermott) justified the first ever tolling of a free bridge saying: "The two bridges will be so close together that to have one bridge free and the other bridge charged would be a waste of money as people would not use the new bridge and everyone would try and trundle across the present Silver Jubilee
bridge."
There were about fifteen objectors or their witnesses who spoke, with the most common issue being the effect that routing traffic through the centre of Runcorn new town would have on the people who live there.
One of the two objectors making closing statements are the "Alliance" who consist of two groups - The Friends of the Earth and the North West Transport Activists Roundtable.
The other objector was the National Alliance Against Tolls which includes the group that campaigns for the Mersey Tunnels Users.
NAAT spokesman John McGoldrick said: "We believe that this scheme will be a social and economic disaster for the whole region.
"If the Government and the local authorities get away with putting a toll on the existing bridge, it is certain that they will try and extend the toll barrier which starts at Liverpool at least as far as the M6.
"Following the Inspector's report it will be a Minister who will make the final decision. We urge all bridge users and the Runcorn residents that will be affected by the diversion of 80 per cent of the traffic through their area to look at what is proposed and fight the plans even though the Inquiry will be over."
That scheme calls for tolls to be imposed not only on a new bridge but also on the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge, which was built with taxpayers' money.
Mr McGoldrick had told the inquiry: "The opposition and hatred of tolls goes back to the Magna Carta in 1215 which described tolls as 'evil'.
"Tolls are a regressive tax which takes no account of the ability to pay or the size of a car. The driver of an old Mini is forced to pay the same toll as the driver of a new Mercedes.
"The proposals being considered at this Inquiry are particularly iniquitous as they involve the first ever imposition of a toll on a free bridge.
"Halton will be the first local authority in Britain where you will not be able to move from one side to the other without paying a toll tax.
"A new bridge was originally intended to improve communications and remove any constraint on cross river travel but the council have completely lost the plot.
"Instead, the plan now is that, when the bridge opens, in there will actually be less traffic crossing the river - on both bridges.
"People on low incomes will think twice before paying a toll to visit family and friends."
The project would be joint-funded by central Government and the private sector, through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), with about 77 per cent coming from private backers.
The new could open as soon as 2014 with the one way tolls for cars costing around £2-50p and HGVs paying as much as £10 each way.
The public inquiry, chaired by Mr Alan Gray has been held at the Stobart Stadium and has lasted four weeks.
The inspector will make a report to the Secretary of State for Transport who will decide whether the proposal should be approved. The decision is not expected until early next year.
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