Newly elected Conservative MP for Weaver Vale, Graham Evans, has reacted to the announcement by the Department for Transport that a decision on the Mersey Gateway project is to be postponed.

Halton Borough Council’s multi-million pound project to build a new toll bridge across the Mersey estuary between Runcorn and Widnes, is one of dozens of other major transport infrastructure projects in the UK to be delayed subject to a DfT Comprehensive Spending Review.

Despite the project enjoying cross-party support at the local level, it had not been approved by the previous Labour Government, and was still under consideration. However, a decision about the future of the bridge will now be taken in a full review of all spending by the new Coalition Government. The review has been instigated because of the urgent need to tackle the National Debt crisis, following revelations that the overall scale of our gigantic deficit and growing debt is even worse than predicted and currently stands at £770billion.

Graham Evans MP said “I have been a long standing supporter of the Mersey Gateway project and believe it would bring huge benefits to the area. Of course, I am disappointed with the news that a decision on the scheme is to be delayed. However, given the scale of the National Debt crisis, the Government is right to take time to review the large number of spending commitments made by the last Labour Government.”

“It is very important to remember that we are in this position due to the disgraceful economic mismanagement by the previous Labour Government. More of our taxes are going towards interest payments on Gordon Brown’s debt than on running schools in England. This situation is simply unsustainable and unless we have a government that takes the tough decisions required, we could be facing a double dip recession that destroys thousands of businesses and costs millions of jobs.”

“While it is clear that the blame for this delay lies squarely at the door of the last Labour Government, I want to assure constituents that I will be doing all I can to fight for the project and ensure that after thirteen years of neglect, our area gets the investment it deserves for the future.