HALTON MP Derek Twigg has been handed special governmental responsibility for railways and light railways - including Liverpool's ambitious Merseytram scheme.
The project could see trams running direct from Runcorn, via the Mersey Gateway, through Widnes and direct to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and the city centre.
Mr Twigg was promoted to junior transport minister in Tony Blair's reshuffle last week.
His promotion was a massive boost for supporters of the £350m Mersey Gateway because Mr Twigg has been a staunch campaigner for a new crossing.
However, he is banned from taking part in the decision process due to a conflict of interests.
He revealed he is confident the Government will stump up the cash it has promised for Line One of Merseytram if final costings are acceptable.
Mr Twigg said: 'Light rail is going to be one of my responsibilities and just before the election Tony McNulty brought up a £4.2m cheque for predevelopment works on Merseytram.
'The simple answer on the finance is that we're waiting to receive the final costings for the scheme. If they stack up then I'm sure we will move forward.'
The Government has provisionally pledged £170m towards the £228m cost of Line One, though both those figures are based on 2003 prices and will rise.
With the modernisation of the West Coast Main Line particularly problematic - Mr Twigg said he was heartened by signs of progress.
He said: 'I've seen the improvement over the last six- to 12 months though of course there is still more to be done.'
Mr Twigg has been at the forefront of the campaign for a second Mersey Crossing between Halton and Runcorn - now rebranded as the Mersey Gateway campaign.
He's hopeful of a quick decision from the Government he's now a major part of but played down hopes he could become a major voice.
'I won't be able to take part in any of the decisions regarding the bridge because of the conflict of interest I'd have,' he admitted.
'But Alastair Darling has said he hoped to have a decision in the first half of the year and I'd hope we can still stick to that.
'We are awaiting final information in terms of the issues on traffic modelling and the environment.'
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