DEVELOPMENT of a new bridge 'desperately needed' over the Manchester Ship Canal has edged closer after the Chancellor announced Warrington will receive a £1 million cash boost.

Chancellor Philip Hammond confirmed Warrington Borough Council as one of only six authorities in the country to have secured development resources from the Government's local major transport scheme funding in last Wednesday's Autumn Statement.

It means the borough will get around £1 million for the initial development costs of the Warrington Waterfront western link scheme, which will cost in the region of £150 million.

The project, which includes a high-level crossing over the Manchester Ship Canal, will connect the A56 Chester Road to the A57 Sankey Way and would bypass Bridge Foot to help solve long-standing congestion misery.

It will also pave the way for the regeneration of the waterfront area located to the south west of the town centre in a move set to create new jobs and homes to strengthen the town's ongoing 'economic success'.

The money will allow the council to prepare an outline business case for the scheme highlighting its transport and regeneration benefits.

After completion it will be submitted to Government in anticipation of receiving further funding from the Department of Transport and other sources.

Council leader Cllr Terry O’Neill said: "I welcome the Government’s announcement of funding for this scheme which will help to ensure the continued economic success and prosperity of Warrington.

"It will be vital in order to attract additional employment and residential opportunities to the town.

"It will help to further increase Warrington's already strong contribution to the Northern Powerhouse."

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for highways and transportation, added: "We are very pleased the Government has agreed to fund the initial costs of the Warrington Waterfront western link scheme.

"The completion of this scheme, expected by the early 2020s, will provide a 'missing link' in the town's transport network and enable Warrington to cope much better with incidents and congestion on the motorway network and also provide a vital fixed high level crossing over the Manchester Ship Canal, reducing the impact of ship canal bridge swings on traffic congestion."

Warrington South MP David Mowat, who has campaigned for the structure, welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This is fantastic news for Warrington and is part of this Government's vision to boost productivity in the north – focusing on skills, connectivity, innovation and trade.

"A new bridge is desperately needed and will make a major difference to the traffic problems in Warrington."

It is the second of two bridges set for construction, with the first, which will cross the Mersey, expected to be completed by winter 2018.

Warrington has also been allocated £234,000 of Government funding to fix potholes.

The money is estimated to fill around 4,400 potholes.