A NEW visitor centre dedicated to the Mersey Gateway project has opened in Widnes.

People will be able to get a bird’s eye view of the construction of the iconic bridge from the glass rooftop observatory at the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.

Visitors will be able to see a wide range of information on interactive display screens, including videos, photographs and a live site webcam.

Fascinating facts and figures about the construction process are also on display.

Halton Council leader Cllr Rob Polhill, chairman of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “The new bridge will not only bring many positive benefits to the area, it is something that will shape Halton’s future identity.

“It’s definitely worth coming down to the visitor centre to take a look.”

Anna McDermott and Ellis Bebbington, pupils  from St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Ditton officially opened the centre in Mersey Road, West Bank, yesterday.

Anna said: "I really liked cutting the ribbon and going up in the lift to the roof.

"I think everyone should come to the visitor centre.

"There are screens where you can find out about different types of bridges."

Ellis said: "It was special to be able to cut the ribbon.

"I think lots of children will like to come here."

The visitor centre is staffed by Mersey Gateway volunteers.

They have all taken part in Merseylink’s comprehensive volunteer training programme and will be on hand to answer questions on everything from local history and heritage, environment and ecology, to the bridge construction.

They will host trips to the rooftop observation gallery to show visitors how the bridge is taking shape in the Mersey estuary.

Bryan Davies, chairman of Catalyst, said: “We are extremely pleased that we have been selected to host the visitor centre for this major engineering project.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors and hope that they will take the time to enjoy the additional facilities that Catalyst has to offer whilst they are here.”

Hugh O’Connor, General Manager at Merseylink, said: “This is one of the most important and iconic infrastructure projects currently underway in the UK.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer people the chance to find out more about what’s happening on their doorstep.”

Admission to the visitor centre is free. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors who wish to look around Catalyst will have to pay the usual entrance fee.

A second visitor centre at Wigg Island in Runcorn is due to open in the spring.