NEW drone footage of the iconic Mersey Gateway released today gives a bird’s eye view of the bridge nearing completion.

Shot from high above the estuary in the summer, the video shows the work that has been carried out on the landmark project.

The iconic structure can be seen with deck completed and three pylons and 146 cable stays all clearly visible.

While the bridge structure is complete, the final touches are now being made including barriers, street lighting, waterproofing and surfacing work, all of which must be finished before the crossing can open safely to allow traffic.

Construction plant and vehicles can still be seen busily working on the bridge deck.

But the gigantic bridge building machines that formed the bridge deck, as well as the 125 metre tall cranes that helped to lift the materials in to build its pylons have now been removed, giving people their first unrestricted view of the bridge.

Layers of road surfacing have been laid on most sections of the bridge and this work is nearing completion.

The bridge remains on track to open by mid-October, weather permitting.

The six-lane bridge will be a tolled crossing. Drivers can register online at merseyflow.co.uk.

Other drone operators are reminded of the strict regulations which are in place governing the use of drones and that unauthorised flying in a public place or around a construction site could lead to the operator being arrested.