THE iconic Silver Jubilee Bridge has finally reopened - after three-and-a-half years of repair work.

The bridge, which links Runcorn and Widnes, has been undergoing refurbishment since 2017 when the Mersey Gateway opened.

Final checks were made by Halton Council today before it was given the green light.

And it reopened to traffic this afternoon.

The grade II listed structure is the seventh largest steel arch bridge in the world and the closure has been the first in its 60 year history.

Like the Mersey Gateway, drivers will need to pay a toll to cross.

The work has included:

• Refurbishment of the arch superstructure, including renewal of the protective paint system and steelwork repairs

• Replacement of a hanger cable - the first time this has ever been undertaken. Hanger cables support the bridge deck

• Repairing, re-waterproofing and resurfacing of the bridge deck

• Re-configuration into a single traffic lane in either direction, plus dedicated cycle lane

• Carriageway re-configuration, resurfacing and extensive refurbishment to Runcorn and Widnes Approach Viaducts

• Extensive upgrade and renewal of parapets and safety fencing.

If you are already registered to use the Mersey Gateway Bridge then you do not need to do anything to start using the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

The charging, discount and registration scheme is exactly the same as for the Mersey Gateway.

The quickest and easiest way to pay for crossings is to register with Merseyflow. If you are not registered,  visit merseyflow.co.uk.

Access to the SJB will be from the Ditton Road junction and West Bank in Widnes, and from the new Bridgewater Expressway roundabout in Runcorn.

The roundabout was constructed as part of the ‘de-linking’ of the bridge which has seen the creation of a new road layout providing improved access to the town centre and railway station, and paving the way for the Runcorn Station Quarter development.

John  McGoldrick, from Scrap Mersey Tolls, said: "This is a sad day for Merseyside. We already have a toll barrier all the way from Liverpool to the outskirts of Warrington. Tolling the Runcorn to Widnes bridge not only reinforces that barrier, it will also
be the first time in the UK that a toll has been placed on a previously free crossing.

"It seems that Merseyside's politicians are ashamed of what they have done and are afraid of possible reaction from the public and in particular our group/ otherwise it is difficult to see why they closed the bridge for 41 months and have kept secret the exact date of the reopening."