THE Treasury has confirmed that Chancellor George Osborne has asked the Department for Transport to 'look at' removing tolls on the Mersey crossings for Warrington drivers.

Both the new bridge in Runcorn, as well as the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge, were to be tolled to fund construction and ongoing costs of maintaining the bridges.

Halton motorists are set to benefit from passes - funded by Halton Borough Council and the Government - which will mean they will not have to pay tolls.

On April 23 Mr Osborne announced his intention to remove tolls on the bridges - meaning the scheme would extend to those living in the authorities of Warrington, as well as Cheshire West and Chester.

Warrington Borough Council wrote to the Government last month as it seeks 'written confirmation' of the Chancellor's plan to extend the free scheme.

Warrington South MP David Mowat asked Mr Osborne to 'clarify' his position ahead of the Treasury's announcement.

"Following his pledge, the Chancellor has asked the Department for Transport to look at extending free bridge tolls to residents of Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington," said a Treasury spokesman.