A MAJOR consultation exercise will take place in Halton to explain the proposals for the Mersey Gateway.

More than 56,000 leaflets and questionnaires will be issued to every house and business in the borough asking for their views on the plans.

The Mersey Gateway will run from the Central Expressway in Runcorn to the Eastern Bypass in Widnes, connecting with Speke Road heading towards Liverpool.

The 2.3km bridge is part of a £390m project that will transform a road network nearly 10km long.

It is estimated the Mersey Gateway will create 1,600 permanent jobs and add £40m to the region's economy every year.

Council leader Tony McDermott, said: 'This project is much more than just a bridge as it has the potential to act as a catalyst for regeneration across the region.

'We are asking people to tell us what they think.

'In September we'll gather all that together ahead of the planning application.'

The consultation programme also includes exhibitions, a website and an interactive 3D model of the Mersey Gateway and the surrounding area.

The innovative 3D model, created by T3D, allows users to see how the proposed bridge would look from any point in Halton.

It also maps the proposed routes to the bridge and associated changes to the landscape that will take place.

The 14-week consultation is focused on two aspects of the programme: How the Silver Jubilee Bridge can best be redeveloped as a bridge for local people and where priorities for discounts on tolling should be focused.

The Mersey Gateway team is seeking views on whether the bridge should feature improved facilities for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

Consultation has previously taken place on the impact of a tolled crossing, a range of different route options and the design of the bridge.

The public exhibitions will take place from July 4-21.

Timetable

* 2008 - Submission of planning application

* 2008 - Public inquiry

* 2009 - Secretary of State's decision

* 2010 - Invite tenders for construction and operation

* 2011 - Construction starts

* 2014 - Mersey Gateway opens