RUNCORN MP Mike Amesbury has pledged to continue fighting for the abolition of bridge tolls in 2018.

Looking ahead in his new year message the Weaver Vale MP said: “October 2018 will see the 12 month anniversary of the opening of the Mersey Gateway – by which time many residents will have paid bills of £1,000 per year, hitting them in the pocket hard.

“I’ll be keeping up the pressure on the government to meet their promise of free travel for my constituents whilst campaigning for complete abolition.”

As a newly elected MP he said 2017 was a busy year but he believes Westminster faces a more hectic schedule in the next 12 months.

Mr Amesbury said: “Brexit will continue to dominate national headlines as we draw closer to the deadline for leaving created by Theresa May’s all too hasty invoking of Article 50.

“Whilst recognising that the majority locally voted to leave the EU, it is becoming increasingly clear that government preparation for this and its assessment of the potential effects on our area has been woefully inadequate.

“I hope that 2018 very quickly becomes a year where jobs, employment rights and other important pieces of regulation are safeguarded and developed, and where possible, trade and business opportunities maximised as we move towards the EU exit door.”

Mr Amesbury hopes to develop more good quality apprenticeships next year.

He added: “In February I’ll be hosting a meeting with key figures locally to see how we can increase the number and variety of apprenticeships available to make sure that our young people have access to real choice in the future.”