Press Release
Plea for children to act safely around Halton's roads
Police and the construction team behind the new Mersey Gateway bridge are appealing for youngsters to act safely around Halton's roads.
Merseylink and Cheshire Police have issued the plea following reports that youngsters have been throwing logs, branches and stones onto some of the area's busiest roads - putting motorists, workers and themselves at risk.
The incidents have occurred around the Southern, Central and Daresbury Expressways in Runcorn - with one report said to have taken place from an overhead bridge.
Hugh O'Connor, General Manager of Merseylink, appealed to parents to talk to their children about the dangers of throwing objects into roads.
"Youngsters probably don't realise the impact they could have by throwing something as small or insignificant as a stone, but it could prove fatal," said Hugh.
"They think they are just having fun, but the truth of the matter is that a small brick thrown from a bridge of 7m could weigh the same as a large car and could prove lethal to motorists passing underneath or contractors working nearby.
"It is vital that parents talk to their children to make them aware of the dangers and the consequences that could follow. I can't believe anyone would wish to see such incidents and resulting injuries as a result of actions that can be so easily avoided."
The Mersey Gateway bridge is scheduled to open in 2017, improving the links between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes across the River Mersey.
Work to construct the bridge is currently underway and the road network around the area is undergoing extensive improvements, with some major diversions and lane closures in place for motorists.
A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: "Anything that takes a driver's attention away from the road is a distraction. We would urge young people to not throw objects such as stones, logs and branches into the road, because it has the potential to have a catastrophic impact on the driver and other road-users. These seemingly meaningless actions could result in someone losing their life.
"We would urge parents to reiterate safety messages to their children, reminding them of the dangers their actions could cause."
Councillor Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council and Chairman of Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said he was grateful for the patience shown by both residents and motorists throughout the various stages of disruption during the construction work and said safety was the number one priority.
He said: "We urge everyone to play a role in safeguarding the people of Halton. We would be grateful if parents could make sure their children are aware of the dangers of throwing objects into the roads, and would urge anyone who sees such incidents to report them immediately."
Anyone who sees incidents of this kind should call 999 immediately or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For more information on other ongoing road works, visit:www.merseygateway.co.uk/down-your-street/
ENDS
The information provided here is an overview of planned work and therefore subject to change.
The team may have to put in place overnight road closures or diversions at short notice due to emergency situations, and these may not be detailed here, but it is our aim to provide information that is as up to date as possible.
The economic, transport and social benefits the project will bring to the region include:
470 permanent full-time equivalent jobs on site during construction
4,640 permanent direct and indirect jobs
£61.9 million a year in Gross Value Added from the new jobs by 2030.
When it opens in 2017, both the new bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge will be tolled, but they will be free* to all Halton residents.
For further information please contact Karen Westcott or Chris Taylor at DTW on 01287 610404 / 07545 210067 / 07949 287356 or emailKaren@dtw.co.ukorchris@dtw.co.uk.
Editors Notes:
About the project
The Mersey Gateway Project will be one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the UK over the coming years. The Mersey Gateway Project has been identified as one of the UK government's Top 40 priority projects in theNational Infrastructure Planand it has been recognised by KPMG as one ofthe‘Top 100 infrastructure projects around the globe'.
Its features will include:
a 1,000m long cable stay bridge consisting of four spans supported from three towers in the estuary;
a unique design where the 80m high central tower will be shorter than the two outer towers, which will be 110m (north tower) and 125m (south tower);
a total length (including the bridge and approach viaducts) of 2.13km;
a deck carrying six lanes of traffic (three in each direction) with a speed limit of 60mph;
up to 30 supporting piers carrying it across the approach viaducts; and
a curved approach at each end of the bridge giving varying views of its unique design and maximising its visual impact.
*Residents of Halton will need to register to use the bridges and there will be a small charge for this.
You can find out more about the project atwww.merseygateway.co.uk.
About the Merseylink consortium
The Merseylink Consortium was appointed by Halton Borough Council as the project company in 2014 on a 30-year contract to design, build, finance and operate the project.
Its equity partners are Macquarie Capital Group Limited, BBGI, and FCC Construcción. The construction joint venture, is made up of Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Limited, Samsung C&T Corporation and FCC Construcción S.A.
Sanef S.A. will deliver and operate the tolling solution for the consortium.