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. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16448554%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=call%2dto%2ddivert%2dmerseytram%2dcash% 2dinto%2dnew%2dbridge%2dplan-name_page.html)

Why do they need one between Widnes and Runcorn? Thats Cheshire not Merseyside.:doubt:

Max, I'm old enough to remember when we were Lancashire! :slywink:

THE future of the second Mersey crossing is expected to be secured today when a crucial £64m government grant is given the green light. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16553241%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=second%2dmersey%2dcrossing%2dset%2dfor% 2dgo%2dahead%2dtoday-name_page.html)

:PDT11

A MULTI-MILLION pound second crossing of the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes has become one of the North West's key transport projects, it was announced last night. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16566950%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=mersey%2dgateway%2dtakes%2dleap%2dneare r-name_page.html)

THE Government last night gave the go-ahead for the second Mersey River crossing and pledged £209m of funding for the scheme.

The historic announcement came after Runcorn bridge bore the brunt of a day of transport chaos, as strike action by public service workers closed both Mersey tunnels and the ferry service.

Thousands of extra motorists travelled via Runcorn, causing long delays as commuters struggled to find alternative ways across the Mersey.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling's decision means work can now begin on designing the new second bridge and securing contractors. Building is now expected to begin in 2011 and should be completed by 2014.

Mr Darling said: "The proposed new bridge would bring significant benefits to the local communities of Runcorn and Widnes, improve access to key developments such as Liverpool John Lennon Airport and help to support the continuing economic growth on Merseyside."

Halton council chief executive David Par said: "This is the biggest decision for Merseyside since Capital of Culture. It is a momentous day and the culmination of 15 years of work."

BUSINESS leaders and politicians last night welcomed government backing for the Mersey Gateway as one of the most important announcements for the region in the last decade. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16876262%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=mersey%2dgateway%2dgets%2dgo%2dahead%2d at%2dlast-name_page.html)

Charges will be introduced on both the new and current bridges. Have your say. :shock: :shock:

I tend to use the bridge at least 2/3 times a week, depending on which way I travel to work. Have to say I don't find the congestion too bad - guess I tend to travel at the right times. Is a second bridge really required?

I'm not happy with them introducing charging though...

TEST drilling has started for the new Mersey crossing.

Work is being carried out at 123 different sites to check the ground on which the £390m Gateway link between Runcorn and Widnes will be built.

Rigs will be seen around the area for the next two months and drilling may lead to some disruption for motorists. continues (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=ground-force%2D%26method=full%26objectid=18897274%26sitei d=50061-name_page.html)....

I didn't realise it had already been approved,that's great.

Liverpool Echo is a bit late. Have a look here >>>>>>

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/tropus/Captured2006-10-2400010.jpg

and here >>>

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/tropus/Captured2006-10-3000019.jpg

Both pics taken in Oct last year from Wigg Island Runcorn.

Camera used is Fuji FinePix S602Z (not the best in the world)

Phredd

This looks interesting, with the idea being to make Riverside Drive a dual carriageway right down to Kings Dock, alleviating pressure on Park Road and Aigburth Road. I dont like the idea of Speke-Widnes road becoming a toll road though, you already have to pay to get into Liverpool from the west, there have been sugestions that the M62 may have tolls, and now its proposed from the south.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=super-highway-plan-to-tackle-traffic-chaos%26method=full%26objectid=19317995%26siteid=5 0061-name_page.html

Just heard this on the radio, cheers for the link :PDT11

SteH
I am of the understanding that a Toll will only be for the bridges and not the whole route.
It has been suggested that the 'old bridge' will be for local trafic only.
In saying that HBC have a habit of moving the goal posts at thier leasure and inform the players some time later.

Phredd

SteH
I am of the understanding that a Toll will only be for the bridges and not the whole route.
It has been suggested that the 'old bridge' will be for local trafic only.
In saying that HBC have a habit of moving the goal posts at thier leasure and inform the players some time later.

Phredd

Thats what I had always thought about the toll, but this article doest make things clear, using the words "the Speke-Widnes road will be the starting point for a new 10km toll route".

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jun2007/0/2/43643297-E19B-2AE5-96D7676A11A0B694.jpg (http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jun2007/0/2/43643297-E19B-2AE5-96D7676A11A0B694.jpg)

THESE are the stunning new images of the second bridge across the Mersey. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=a-bridge-too-far%2D%26method=full%26objectid=19318833%26siteid= 50061-name_page.html)

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jun2007/0/2/43643297-E19B-2AE5-96D7676A11A0B694.jpg (http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icliverpool/jun2007/0/2/43643297-E19B-2AE5-96D7676A11A0B694.jpg)

THESE are the stunning new images of the second bridge across the Mersey. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=a-bridge-too-far%2D%26method=full%26objectid=19318833%26siteid= 50061-name_page.html) It is of a similar design as the Sunshine Skyway bridge that straddles Tampa Bay, at it's mouth, to link St Petersburg Beach and Bradenton in Florida. The link, below, has some nice shots and some light hearted text. :rolleyes:
http://www.jumperpool.com/pix01.htm

I'm concerned about turning Riverside Drive into a busy highway though. With all the redevelopment of Otterspool and the Garden Festival site, won't a huge 4-lane road cut them off, just like The Strand is a barrier to the docks from the city centre?

I'm concerned about turning Riverside Drive into a busy highway though. With all the redevelopment of Otterspool and the Garden Festival site, won't a huge 4-lane road cut them off, just like The Strand is a barrier to the docks from the city centre?

I suppose it will mate yes, however. I assume the super duper highway will be used by mainly those traveling in from outer areas (Runcorn etc) and thats what they'll use on their outward journey rather than use Aigburth Rd, which took me 20 mins to crawl along this evening, I've never known it so bad!

Residents of Liverpool, Aigburth etc will still use the area as they do now except without the silly congestion.

I hope I've got your drift there and not missed your point. :)

I had the (dis)Pleasure of traveling from Widnes to Liverpool along Speke Boulevard. When are they going to stop the digging up of this busy raod. One day it is fine, landscaped and clean, next day "chaos".
How much money has been spent (wasted) on this road over the past 5 years.
I think they are laying a new watermain; blue pipes ?

As for the 'super highway'. What will become of Jericho Lane ?

Phredd
Think I will put my brain to bed now. It is hurting.

Didn't realise how bad traffic was on Aigburth Rd - rush hour on Smithdown Rd is bad enough! I thought the Knowsley Expressway was meant to take traffic away from Speke & Aigburth and send it to the M62 instead (as well as people going up the M57)?

COUNCILLORS yesterday performed a dramatic U-turn and vowed that Riverside Drive at Otterspool would not be considered as a possible super- highway into Liverpool. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=u%2Dturn-over-%2Dsuperhighway%2D-plan%26method=full%26objectid=19343917%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html)

Phew :handclap:

On what I saw in the papers the other day, the toll booths looked to be quite a way before the bridges, where the road first enters Widnes. I wonder what would happen if you're travelling down there just to get to Widnes and not across the bridge.

Aigburth Road, south of Aigburth Vale will get even busier then if Riverside Drive is widened as it joins Aigburth Road via Jericho Lane.
Why bring Aigburth Road (Park Road end) into the argument as it's only really busy in peak periods, and isn't touched by people using Riverside Drive?

I've just read the latest post and see that they've changed their minds.
Common sense prevails.
I came to the Dingle in 1991 and my next door neighbour told me there had been plans (1970s/1980s?) to make Park Road a dual carriageway, which would have left the Ancient Chapel in the central reservation!
The recent proposal to dual Park Road was ridiculous from the start because in the past few years a lot of new buildings have been put up on both sides of the road.

That was a quick U-Turn.:surprised

Would a dual carriageway there necessarily be for the best though?

When they built the Wallasey Tunnel they ripped the heart out of Scottie Road and it has never recovered. To do the same to the southend would be vandalism.

You guys might be interested in this (http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16084) thread over at Sabre. A few "Road Enthusiasts" have given their opinion!

A nice little site that mate, cheers for the link :). Is that Gareth of SSC?

You guys might be interested in this (http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16084) thread over at Sabre. A few "Road Enthusiasts" have given their opinion!

Bloody hell there really is a forum for everything,sort it out Gareth.:D

A nice little site that mate, cheers for the link :). Is that Gareth of SSC?

I seem to remember him mentioning being a member of the "Liverpool Branch" of SSC. He lives West Derby way anyway.

I am a mere member of Sabre as it is another of my interests other than all things Merseyside. :snf (41):

To be honest, I only thought it fair to post a link to a similar thread as I have done likewise with some threads in Sabre where I have linked similar threads from this site. Its all connected in some form!!!

Another failed proposal from years ago...to build a flyover over Otterspool Park to link up with Garston.

Would a dual carriageway there necessarily be for the best though?

When they built the Wallasey Tunnel they ripped the heart out of Scottie Road and it has never recovered. To do the same to the southend would be vandalism.

Rather than building more dual carriageways into town we should be encouraging people to use public transport. Most people in the area covered by Aigburth Road are no more than a ten minute's walk from a railway station.

For people coming along Aigburth Road from outside the city provision should be made in the Speke area for a park and ride scheme similar to the one at South Parkway.

Apart from rush hour there isn't a great deal of heavy traffic on Park Road so it doesn't need traffic relief. I can't say that I have ever found the traffic along Riverside Drive all that heavy either so in an age where we are supposed to be encouraging people to use the car less, I'm not sure what the rationale is for this one.

A nice little site that mate, cheers for the link :). Is that Gareth of SSC?

Indeed it is. ;)

LIVERPOOL’S JLA airport is backing plans for a new Mersey bridge, after a report claimed that by 2015 around 2.5m people a year will be using the Runcorn bridge to get to the airport. Read (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2007/08/01/bridge-backed-100252-19552725/)

looks like a nice bridge provided road access to and from the bridge are improved. I do think it sad that drivers still have to pay to use the Mersey tunnels though and, I am not sure how this will work, I mean as far as I understand the new bridge will be a toll but the old runcorn bridge will be free?
kat:)

not sure if this will work here goes
http://videos.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/video-100252-19410725.flv
nice video of the proposed bridge and surrounding developments
flv player may be needed.
kat:)

http://www2.halton.gov.uk/merseygateway/

http://www2.halton.gov.uk/merseygateway/content/theproject/thenewbridge/?a=5441

click on 3D model at bottom of page

It also shows new B&Q warehouse, cinema, Ice Rink and climbing wall

Hi, John, its the same video,
kat
:)

Threads merged :PDT11

A NEW interchange on the M56 in Cheshire to give direct access to the proposed new £450m river crossing is under discussion, following a massive public consultation exercise in Runcorn and Widnes. Read (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/11/21/new-road-planned-for-mersey-gateway-64375-20137742/)

Two separate planning applications connected to the proposed second bridge across the River Mersey are expected to be submitted by the end of the month. more (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7314060.stm)

There are all sorts of rumours re payment to cross both bridges. The last I heard, the council said there would be discounts for local residents! So, the big question is how much will it cost to get across the river? Can't they just put a weight limit on the old bridge to keep all the heavies on the new one and let them pay?

I think they have said clearly there will have to be payment on the new one as that is the only way they could afford to build it, they just need to work out a scheme for the Silver Jubilee Bridge

I think you will find that the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be altered to One Lane Traffic in each direction with Cycle lanes either side.

The last Toll proposal I heard of was that both bridges would be tolled the same but with a reduction for "Local Residents".
Let us not forget that lots of people outside of Halton BC, work either side of the water......... will they be on a reduced rate?.
Time will tell I suppose.
Taraaaa
Phredd

Nope, thin end of the wedge Phredd. We live in Halton and we have never had to pay. Now there will be "reductions" for locals! Don't hold your breath. HBC is strapped and this will be a moneyspinner for them.

Plans for new Mersey bridge to go before government
Apr 24 2008
by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/liverpoolecho/jul2007/9/0/9688A430-C0F5-5011-51DFBBE1744A9295.jpg

A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to build a second bridge across the River Mersey will be sent to the government shortly.

Councillors last night agreed to apply for crucial legislation to allow the £390m Mersey Gateway to be built between Widnes and Runcorn.

If granted by ministers the Transport and Works Order (TWO) would be the equivalent of the long-awaited project getting planning permission.

Yesterday’s decision by Halton council was another vital milestone in the long-running campaign for a second crossing.

The 47-year-old Silver Jubilee bridge now handles up to 93,000 vehicles a day – more than nine times what it was built for despite being made a dual carriageway in 1977.

If granted by the government the TWO will allow the council to build the bridge, buy up land in its path, make changes to approach roads and set tolls.

Officials are expected to formally submit it next month after the council elections.

Applications to alter the road network in Widnes and Runcorn and change the traffic flow and lay-out on the Silver Jubilee bridge are already in the hands of council planners.

The council started working on the current Mersey Gateway plan in 2000 after the government agreed a new bridge was a priority.

Source: Liverpool Echo (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/04/24/plans-for-new-mersey-bridge-to-go-before-government-100252-20812875/)