WARRINGTON South MP Faisal Rashid has accused a minister of 'hiding behind diary pressures' after failing to meet again to discuss the Mersey Gateway Bridge tolls.

In October, the Labour politician met Jesse Norman, parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department for Transport (DfT), to speak about the impact the charges are having on residents, as well as the area's highway network.

The pair were due to hold another meeting to discuss Mr Norman's findings after he 'investigated options' for alleviating the burden of the tolls.

However, Mr Rashid says the minister has backtracked on the pledge in a letter.

He added: "Once again, my constituents are being let down by Government ministers on this issue.

"First, the former Conservative Chancellor U-turns on his commitment to my constituents on toll-free travel over the Mersey Gateway.

"This broken promise now means my constituents are paying the price in extra motoring costs and increased local congestion.

"And now, the current transport minister is hiding behind 'diary pressures' as his reason for failing to keep to his commitment to meet again to discuss the issue.

"This is totally unacceptable – Warrington South residents deserve better.

"This is not the last that the transport minister and his Conservative Government colleagues have heard from me on this issue.

"I want to assure my constituents that I will be keeping up the pressure on the Government to extend toll-free travel to Warrington South residents."

Former Chancellor George Osborne pledged that drivers in Warrington and Cheshire West and Chester would have tolls waived ahead of the 2015 General Election.

But many of the borough's motorists are facing a £1,080 yearly bill to cross the site following a Government U-turn.

The DfT confirmed Mr Norman 'set out his position' in his letter to Mr Rashid.

It said any decision to extend free tolling to other councils would come at a 'significant cost' to taxpayers, while extending it to some authorities, such as Warrington, but not others would create a 'risk' of legal challenge.

A spokeswoman added: "The Mersey Gateway Bridge has significantly improved journeys around Merseyside, while also improving the economy in the area, and will help create more than 4,500 new jobs.

"Regular users of the crossing are able to register for frequent user discounts on the cost of tolls."