HC Deb 12 November 2003 vol 413 cc283-4W
Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government's policy is on integrating the new Mersey Bridge with the transport network of(a) St. Helens, (b) Merseyside and (c) the north west region. [137987]

Mr. Jamieson

Halton borough council submitted a detailed proposal to my Department in July 2003 for the funding of a New Mersey Crossing. The implications of such a crossing for the transport networks of St. Helens, Merseyside and the north west region will be considered as part of our assessment of this proposal.

Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the cost of linking the transport links of St. Helens with the new Mersey Bridge; and what additional resources he will make available for this purpose. [137988]

Mr. Jamieson

Halton borough council submitted a detailed proposal to the Department for Transport in July 2003 for the funding of a New Mersey Crossing. No separate assessment has been carried out by the Department of the cost of linking the transport links of St. Helens with a new crossing. The provision of additional resources for such transport links would be considered in the light of any proposals submitted by the relevant authorities in the context of the Local Transport Plan for Merseyside.

Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many jobs the Government estimates will be created by the building of the new Mersey Bridge. [138006]

Mr. Jamieson

Halton borough council submitted a detailed proposal to my Department in July 2003 for the funding of a New Mersey Crossing. My Department has not made any separate estimates of the number of jobs that might be created by such a proposal.