HALTON council leader Tony McDermott is confident the proposed second Mersey crossing will be given the thumbs-up. Cllr McDermott believes the question of whether the Government approves the multi-million-pound Mersey Gateway project is now a case of 'when, rather than if'. He said: 'We are very confident now. We believe we and the other partners have made a great case for the bridge and we believe the Government is convinced of the urgent need for a new bridge. 'There was a slight retrenchment in the Government's position but we now believe we have made the strongest possible case.' The chances of the Mersey crossing getting the green light received a boost at the expense of Liverpool's long-awaited tram scheme. The £170m pulled from the derailed project should be put towards plans for the £300m Mersey Gateway, campaigners have urged. Tony McDermott, leader of Halton council, said it made sense that some of the money should be redirected. The Mersey Gateway would only require £64m Government funding, meaning the remaining £106m could be spent on other projects. Trains minister Derek Twigg refused to release £170m earmarked for Merseytravel's £500m tram project on the grounds the Government had not received sufficient guarantees from Liverpool City Council. The MP for Halton said the money would remain on the table for 'good value' transport schemes on Mersey-side. Cllr McDermott said the competition makes it even more vital that the Mersey Gateway scheme be high up on the agenda. He said he did not want to take any money away from the trams if there was a chance that Line One, between Liverpool and Kirkby, could be resurrected. But he stressed that, if the money was up for grabs, then the Mersey Gateway project should benefit. Cllr McDermott said: 'It makes sense if the £170m is not going to be used for the trams, it should be kept in Merseyside and the new Mersey crossing is a project that should get some of it. 'But it shouldn't be a question of either-or. Merseyside deserves both projects. It is not a question of hoping the tram project fails so we can get the bridge. 'They are completely separate projects and not connected in any way whatsoever. We still want the trams.' Mersey Gateway wants a £64m grant from the Government to help cover land costs and decontamination, with the rest of the money for the £300m-plus project coming from the private sector. The Government is due to make a decision on whether the bridge should go ahead in the new year. | 
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