THE proposed new Mersey bridge would not cause serious environmental damage to Halton's waterfront, re-search has revealed.
Conservationists had been concerned about the impact it would have on the River Mersey's wildlife both during construction and afterwards.
Extra environmental studies were commissioned, along with further work on how the £335m bridge would affect the road system in the North West.
Initial findings have now provided a boost to those backing a second crossing, linking the Central Expressway in Runcorn to the Eastern Bypass in Widnes, to the east of the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge.
Studies commissioned by the Mersey Crossing Group at the request of the Government have so far revealed the bridge would cause few changes to the ecology of the area.
A computerised process, known as hydrodynamic modelling, has looked at how different bridge structures might affect the Mersey.
The research was carried out by consultant engineers Gifford whose technical director, Paul Hillman, said: 'Be-cause the estuary is so mobile, what happens one day can be different from what happens the next and so what we are hoping to do is demonstrate the differences in the estuary with the bridge are so small in comparison to the natural changes that are taking place each day.
'The evidence we have seen so far suggests the bridge is not likely to cause any particular significant changes to the ecology of the river.'
The current phase of modelling will continue until August when a report will be produced.
Cllr Tony McDermott, Halton Borough Council leader and chairman of the Mersey Crossing Group, said: 'The extra studies we are carrying out have so far been very positive but we are not getting carried away.
'There is still much work to be done to secure this important crossing and we will continue to do everything in our power to make this a reality.'
