Post by les on Oct 6, 2011 19:09:55 GMT
This is from the official Mersey Gateway newsletter, so if there are any spelling mistakes, them's not mine!
Today’s confirmation from ministers that Government has confirmed the detailed funding package for Mersey Gateway is great news and clears the way for us to launch our competition for the delivery of the new crossing.
I’d like to thank everybody from across the region who has worked tirelessly to support the Mersey Gateway Project over recent years as it is only with your support that we have been able to secure this deal which will be transformational for the regional economy in years to come.
It is worth remembering that detailed research has shown that Mersey Gateway can be the catalyst that creates over 4,000 jobs, improves journey times and reliability for millions of people in the region and brings massive inward investment and regeneration potential in to the area.
Thanks again for your support.
Cllr Rob Polhill
Cllr Rob Polhill
Leader, Halton Borough Council
Chair, Mersey Gateway Executive Board
Transport Secretary details £470m of funding over project lifetime
Transport Secretary RT Hon Philip Hammond MP’s detailed announcement was published this morning.
It confirmed that the Department for Transport is contributing £86m in direct capital grant for the project and up to £14.55m per year in long term revenue support for 26 ½ years after opening, which makes a total contribution of up to £470million.
The agreement comes after the project team and Department for Transport officials and ministers have been looking closely at the detail of the project and have identified a mix of improvements and cost-savings that could save more than £30m.
Mr. Hammond said: “The Mersey Gateway Bridge is an important transport project which will improve journeys and boost economic growth. It will not only provide much needed traffic relief for the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge, but also help to regenerate the Borough of Halton, the Liverpool city region and the wider north west by improving transport links, maximising local development and regional economic growth opportunities.”
“In response to the Government’s request to reduce costs, Halton Borough Council have achieved savings of around £30m on the original proposed cost - meaning the scheme will offer better value to the taxpayer, whilst bringing vital improvements to the region. Further cost savings are expected through a competitive procurement process.”
David Parr, Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council, said: “We have been working very closely with Government over recent months to finalise the details of this agreement and I am delighted with the results. This agreement represents the best possible deal for the public purse and means that we can focus on delivering a project that will bring benefits to local people, commuters and businesses from across the region.”
Phil Hammond
Announcement kick-starts procurement plans
BridgeToday’s announcement means that the project can now move forward into the procurement phase, which is all about selecting the best possible private sector partner to work with the council to design, build, finance and operate the scheme.
The official OJEU notice that formally starts the procurement phase is likely to be issued before the end of October 2011.
The project team will also be consulting very soon on some of the details of the changes that will save around £30 million on the cost of the project.
Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in 2013 and is due to be open for traffic in 2016.
Today’s confirmation from ministers that Government has confirmed the detailed funding package for Mersey Gateway is great news and clears the way for us to launch our competition for the delivery of the new crossing.
I’d like to thank everybody from across the region who has worked tirelessly to support the Mersey Gateway Project over recent years as it is only with your support that we have been able to secure this deal which will be transformational for the regional economy in years to come.
It is worth remembering that detailed research has shown that Mersey Gateway can be the catalyst that creates over 4,000 jobs, improves journey times and reliability for millions of people in the region and brings massive inward investment and regeneration potential in to the area.
Thanks again for your support.
Cllr Rob Polhill
Cllr Rob Polhill
Leader, Halton Borough Council
Chair, Mersey Gateway Executive Board
Transport Secretary details £470m of funding over project lifetime
Transport Secretary RT Hon Philip Hammond MP’s detailed announcement was published this morning.
It confirmed that the Department for Transport is contributing £86m in direct capital grant for the project and up to £14.55m per year in long term revenue support for 26 ½ years after opening, which makes a total contribution of up to £470million.
The agreement comes after the project team and Department for Transport officials and ministers have been looking closely at the detail of the project and have identified a mix of improvements and cost-savings that could save more than £30m.
Mr. Hammond said: “The Mersey Gateway Bridge is an important transport project which will improve journeys and boost economic growth. It will not only provide much needed traffic relief for the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge, but also help to regenerate the Borough of Halton, the Liverpool city region and the wider north west by improving transport links, maximising local development and regional economic growth opportunities.”
“In response to the Government’s request to reduce costs, Halton Borough Council have achieved savings of around £30m on the original proposed cost - meaning the scheme will offer better value to the taxpayer, whilst bringing vital improvements to the region. Further cost savings are expected through a competitive procurement process.”
David Parr, Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council, said: “We have been working very closely with Government over recent months to finalise the details of this agreement and I am delighted with the results. This agreement represents the best possible deal for the public purse and means that we can focus on delivering a project that will bring benefits to local people, commuters and businesses from across the region.”
Phil Hammond
Announcement kick-starts procurement plans
BridgeToday’s announcement means that the project can now move forward into the procurement phase, which is all about selecting the best possible private sector partner to work with the council to design, build, finance and operate the scheme.
The official OJEU notice that formally starts the procurement phase is likely to be issued before the end of October 2011.
The project team will also be consulting very soon on some of the details of the changes that will save around £30 million on the cost of the project.
Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin in 2013 and is due to be open for traffic in 2016.