CHANCELLOR George Osborne came to Runcorn today to see history being made.

A digger started excavating a base for the first of three towers to support the new Mersey Gateway.

Speaking on a temporary trestle bridge in the river estuary, Mr Osborne told The World: “I am passionate about getting this bridge built. It is fantastic to see it happen.”

He renewed his pledge of free tolls for Halton residents and vowed to review extending the scheme for people living in Weaver Vale, Chester, Warrington and the Wirral.

But when asked about the burden of tolls facing the borough’s businesses, he said it was not possible to waive their charges.

Mr Osborne said: “We have made sure that Halton residents are not paying tolls.

“We are using central government to help the local authority provide free charges for residents.

“There is a special scheme to help small businesses.”

Halton businesses are being offered a discount toll of £90 per vehicle per month.

However, many firms who make frequent crossings using several vehicles fear it could put them out of business.

Mr Osborne added: “If businesses paid nothing at all, taxpayers would have to pay more. I’m not sure that would be fair.

“Estimates are that more and more businesses will come to the area because they won’t be paying the silent, hidden tax of congestion with lorries and vans stuck in traffic.”

Around 500 people are currently working on the Mersey Gateway project.

The six-lane tolled crossing is due to open in 2017.