NEW MERSEY CROSSING

Early day motion 448, tabled 10 January 2005 by George Howarth (Labour). Signed by 20 members.

That this House notes that the Silver Jubilee bridge between Widnes and Runcorn has a capacity of 65,000 cars a day; further notes that on some days last year, 92,000 vehicles used the bridge and that the Oscar Faber Report, published in 1977, concluded that, by 2016, between 115,000 and 150,000 vehicles might cross the bridge, which would be massively in excess of its current capacity; further notes that the recently published Northern Way document recognised that the current congestion is a barrier to economic growth in the Liverpool/Merseyside city region; believes that a new Mersey Crossing is urgently needed to support the economic growth and regeneration of the North West; and calls on the Government to urgently agree the funding arrangements and construction timetable for the new Mersey Gateway.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, DUP 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.