THE first bridge to be built over the River Mersey for more than 50 years has been completed to pave way for the iconic Mersey Gateway.

The trestle bridge is a temporary structure which will act as an access platform for construction teams to work from when building the six lane crossing.

Construction workers have just laid the final slab of concrete in the middle of the bridge to join the two sides together.

It has taken 10 months to build.

The trestle bridge is a busy construction site used daily by heavy vehicles and sophisticated equipment and is not open to the public.

A lifting section, which can be raised on request to allow boats to pass up and downstream, will be installed shortly.

The bridge will be dismantled once the new crossing opens.

Thomas Duncalf from Runcorn was one of the first workers to walk across it.

He said: "I'm excited to be working on the project. It's a great opportunity.

“My grandad worked on the Silver Jubilee Bridge and it's an important part of my family history.

“I feel honoured to be part of the team building the new Mersey Gateway bridge."

Richard Walker, Merseylink project director, said: "Completion of the trestle bridge marks another important milestone.

“It will provide us with full access to the river, enabling work to start on the central cofferdam.

“This is a great achievement for the project and I'd like to thank everyone involved for their hard work."