TOLLS will remain in place on the Mersey Gateway Bridge after the government rejected a plea to lift them during the coronavirus lockdown.

Halton Council last week asked the government for permission to suspend the tolls after Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram waived charges on the Mersey Tunnels to help key workers during the crisis.

But the Department for Transport has rejected the council’s request, meaning the £2 toll remains in place.

Halton Council leader Rob Polhill said he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

He said: “We believe this compromises our efforts locally to meet the challenges presented by COVID-19.

“We also believe it penalises the very people we are relying on to keep us all safe – our NHS staff, our key workers and our volunteers, who will now be faced with ongoing payments and the requirement to pay their tolls/charge, thereby distracting them from their primary role which is to save lives.

“We will continue to press government to do the right thing – which is to allow the council to suspend tolls/charges on Mersey Gateway for NHS workers, key workers and our volunteers.”

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury, who represents part of Runcorn, has written to the transport secretary Grant Shapps asking him to reconsider his department’s decision.

Mr Amesbury told the transport secretary he was “both disappointed and somewhat surprised” by the decision.

He wrote: “A transitional suspension of charges will help alleviate some of the financial pressures on our community heroes while they help in the fight against coronavirus.

“Halton local authority has rightfully pressed the issue as part of its overall response to support the national crisis. Please do reconsider this decision, your support on this matter will be most welcome.”

The Department for Transport declined to say why it had refused the council’s request to lift the tolls.

A spokesperson for the department said: “It is vitally important that our transport network continues to flow smoothly so that people can undertake essential travel and to protect our supply chains.

“We are actively working with Local Authorities to keep our roads moving and are keeping all parts of the transport network, including tolls, under constant review.”

Although the tolls remain in place, some measures have been taken to reduce the burden on drivers crossing between Widnes and Runcorn.

Merseyflow, which operates the bridge on behalf of Halton Council, has extended residents’ and blue badge holders’ passes indefinitely while bailiffs Marston have suspended enforcement action against people who have been fined for not paying the toll.