WARRINGTON Borough Council's leader has criticised the MP for Warrington South after claims that two new bridges for the town have been entirely secured.

Terry O'Neill confirmed plans for the development of the bridges to ease congestion problems are a top priority for the council but rejected MP David Mowat's claims that the project has been 'approved'.

The Government announced it will invest an extra £15.1million into Cheshire and Warrington between 2016-21 at the end of last month to finance the transformation.

The 'growth deal' will provide the town with a second high level crossing over Manchester Ship Canal from Chester Road to Sankey Way, and follows confirmation of a bridge across the River Mersey that will bypass Bridge Foot from Chester Road to Slutchers Lane.

However, Cllr O'Neill has warned residents not to expect any plans to be set in stone until after May's General Election.

"It is another Government that will decide if that funding comes through and how the funding package is put together," he said.

"Warrington Borough Council, my officers and this whole administration has been pushing this, not particularly the MP for Warrington South.

"We have had this in our regeneration plans for quite a while and have worked up the route and way we can get it funded but we need open discussions with whatever Government comes into power to deliver."

Although waving away Mr Mowat's announcement on the project, Cllr O'Neill admitted it was something that he expected hear.

"All I expect is election hearing and promises - I understand why he said he has secured it but he hasn't," he said.

"There is still lots of discussions between the Government, agencies, Whitehall departments and the borough council. We also have planning applications to put in to decide what the route is.

"But I think it will benefit the town enormously and think it will benefit our long-term plans."

He has also described Mr Mowat's efforts to tackle road tolls near the town as a 'failure'.

"I have got a strategy and wrote to all private sector companies in the town to get support to have tolls taken of the Mersey Gateway for Warrington residents," he said.

"Mr Mowat seems to forget if we do get this bridge, it will between 2021-23 before it is actually in.

"The Mersey Gateway is due to open in 2017, so what are we going to get between 2017 and 2023? He should have been lobbying this Government to take tolls off the bridge at the Mersey Gateway for Warrington residents and he has failed.

"I think whichever MP in Warrington South comes in, they should campaign vigorously and strongly to the next Government to take tolls off the bridge, as well as supporting the high level crossing."