The Secretary of State for Transport gives notice under section 14(1)(b), (2A), (3A) and (3AA) of the Legislation: Transport and Works Act 1992 (“the Act”) that he has determined under section 13(1) of the Act to make with modifications the River Mersey (Mersey Gateway Bridge) Order (“the Order”).

The Order was applied for by Halton Borough Council of Municipal Building, Kingsway, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 7QF . It will authorise Halton Borough Council to construct, maintain and operate the Mersey Gateway Bridge and associated works, to acquire land compulsorily for those purposes and to charge tolls for vehicles using the new bridge. Copies of the Order, once made, may be obtained from the Stationery Office or through booksellers.

The Secretary of State has, pursuant to section 14(1)(a) of the Act, given notice of his determination by way of a decision letter dated 20 December 2010 copies of which may be obtained from the TWA Orders Unit, Department for Transport, Zone 1/31, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR . That letter gives the reasons for the determination and the considerations upon which it is based; information about the public participation process; and information regarding the right to challenge the validity of the determination and the procedures for doing so.

The Secretary of State confirms that, before making his determination, he considered the environmental statement provided by the applicant and all objections and other representations relating to it, and that he otherwise complied with the obligations referred to in section 14(3A) of the Act. For the purposes of section 14(3AA), he confirms that the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy any major adverse environmental effects are those referred to in paragraphs 45 and 46 of, and the conditions in Annex 1 to, the decision letter.

Ellis Harvey, Head of the TWA Orders Unit, Department for Transport, Zone 1/31, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR