DRIVERS in Warrington face £2 charges each time they cross the Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes.

And worries are already starting that when the new bridge - and the fees - are introduced in 2017, it will mean more motorists clogging up Warrington’s roads as they seek to avoid the bill.

The new Mersey crossing tolls will also be introduced on the existing bridge.

Even a discount for Warrington residents will cost £90 a month - more than £1,000 a year.

A poll on the Warrington Guardian website, which attracted more than 600 votes, showed a whopping 87 per cent of readers believe it will hit traffic in Warrington.

David Mowat, MP for Warrington South, said: ““Graham Evans, the MP for Weaver Vale and I met with the Chancellor on this issue two weeks ago and will be meeting him again early in the new year to press the case.

“I am disappointed that toll on the bridge, that the previous Labour Government imposed as a condition of construction, will still be implemented but I will carry on lobbying against it.

“I will continue to work with MPs in the area, on a cross-party basis, to get this reversed.

“My main concern is that a toll will push large amounts of additional traffic through Warrington during rush hour. Anyone who’s had to drive across town over the last few weeks will know that the road network is already overstretched.”

Nick Bent, Labour spokesman for Warrington South, says he wants to see the tolls removed - as has happened on a road project in Cambridgeshire.

Mr Bent said: "The Tories are hiking up the cost of living for thousands of commuters and traders and doing yet more damage to the economy of Warrington and Merseyside. As in Southern England, Cameron and Osborne should scrap these new road tolls."