On the first anniversary of the opening of the Mersey Gateway Bridge, I joined a group of Labour MPs in writing to the Transport Secretary to call for the scrapping of the tolls.

Many of my constituents have been left financially worse off by the tolls, and I know of businesses that have relocated because of their impact.

While the bridge is to be welcomed for its impact on improving the region’s transport infrastructure, the tolls are in fact a barrier to economic growth.

An early end to tolls on the Severn Bridge between England and south Wales has been announced but here in the North West we are already short-changed when it comes to investing in transport infrastructure and the tolls mean we are over-charged too.

If the Government is serious about its commitment to the Northern Powerhouse and increasing regional productivity then it needs to scrap the tolls, and put the money back in the pockets of local residents and businesses.