WARRINGTON Borough Council's campaign to oppose tolls on the Mersey bridges has taken a major step forward after 256 nearby businesses backed the move against the costs.

Council leader, Terry O'Neill, wrote to organisations, including the Warrington Chamber of Commerce, last December to ask for the support to ensure tolls would not be introduced.

Under current plans, the tolls will affect motorists using the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the new Mersey Gateway Crossing at Runcorn.

A 'discount pass' would cost £90 per month but it is hoped that the current campaign can prevent the tolls coming into force.

"We have had an astonishing response to the campaign so far and still more businesses are signing up," said Cllr O'Neill (LAB - Burtonwood and Winwick).

"Many businesses and residents seem unaware at present of the effect that the tolls are likely to have - the road tolls on the Runcorn bridges could mean even worse traffic congestion in Warrington as drivers seek to avoid the tolls and that is bad for residents, bad for business and bad for our reputation as a town.

"Furthermore, residents and businesses could be punitively hit as they travel to and from work across the bridges - a one way trip across the bridge is likely to cost £2.00 and even a ‘discount pass' will be £90.00 per month.

"The effect on Warrington I feel could potentially be disastrous and could impact on our growth ambitions.

"I would encourage other businesses and organisations to join the lobby to ensure that the bridges are toll free for Warrington residents."

Labour's Warrington South candidate, Nick Bent, who has secured 394 signatures on his online petition to scrap the tolls, criticised the constituency's MP, David Mowat, for the lack of urgency he has showed on the issue during his tenure as parliamentary representative.

"The sitting Tory MP has totally failed Warrington on road tolls and Tory Ministers need to start listening to the hundreds of business leaders and local residents who back the campaign to get these unfair tolls scrapped completely," he said.

But Mr Mowat hit back and believes his work lobbying for two new bridges in the town will prove to be crucial for motorists.

“When the new Runcorn bridge project was conceived, the previous Labour Government decided that it was only viable with tolling and, so far, the coalition has not been able to change this," he said.

"I have however been successfully lobbying for two new bridges in Warrington, which, as well as providing a solution to this problem, will benefit many more commuters in the town.”