LABOUR parliamentary candidate for Warrington South Nick Bent has condemned Chancellor George Osborne’s decision to scrap Mersey bridge tolls for Halton residents but not Warrington people.


In an unexpected u-turn on Friday, Mr Osborne said he didn't think it was fair that people living in Runcorn and Widnes should pay to cross a river in their borough and the cost will be met by the Government.


But Warrington residents will still face toll charges for travelling across the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge and the new road bridge.


Mr Bent said: “The so-called discount pass for Warrington drivers will cost £90 per month – over £1,000 per year at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet.


“It is deeply unfair that Warrington people face a damaging double-whammy of two new road tolls plus increased traffic chaos in the town centre as hard-pressed motorists seek to avoid the new charges introduced by the Tory-led Government.


“This is a kick in the teeth for Warrington from George Osborne and more evidence of the local Tory MP letting the town down.


“Tory Ministers had already ignored him on the swing bridge problem and now they have ignored him on the Mersey bridge tolls.”