Mersey Gateway proposed Byelaws reach representation stage
As a requirement of the legislation surrounding the Mersey Gateway Project1, Halton Borough Council is making and enforcing byelaws for the regulation and operation of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge and approach roads.
The Mersey Gateway Bridge byelaws and the subsequent representation period will not affect the current construction of the Mersey Gateway Bridge nor the plans for the operation and tolling of both the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee Bridge.
Byelaws are standard across estuarial crossings, tunnels and bridges in the UK.
In general terms, byelaws are there to regulate traffic and to exclude certain traffic and types of vehicles subject to special controls. The byelaws also prohibit damage and nuisance and in respect of the Mersey Gateway Bridge, define the area over which tolls apply and allow penalties for contravention.
The proposed byelaws were approved by a full meeting of Halton Council in October and will be reviewed by the Secretary of State for Transport after a representation period which will run from today until 9 December 2016.
David Parr, Chief Executive of the Halton Borough Council said, “The byelaws are necessary to ensure the Mersey Gateway Bridge can operate efficiently and safely.
The process to introduce the byelaws is as standard and we are confident the Secretary of State will approve the byelaws following the month-long representation period.”
The full byelaws can be found on our website at www.merseygateway.co.uk/byelaws and hard copies are available to view at Halton Direct Link venues in Brook Street, Widnes and Halton Lea, Runcorn.
Any objections or other representations about the byelaws should be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport.
Any questions about the byelaws and the representation process should be made to the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board on enquiries@merseygateway.co.uk.
1 The River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order 2011