Halton Mersey Gateway's executive board has started looking for managers and directors as it gets ready to build the £600 million bridge.

Existing project director Steve Nicholson will be staying on with the scheme and the new positions will be client-side, as opposed to working in the contracted businesses.

Leader of Halton Borough Council Rob Polhill said of Mr Nicholson and chief executive David Parr: "[They] have played a key role in leading the project through negotiations with government and in delivering the procurement process, which is on track to save tens of millions of pounds on the projected cost of Mersey Gateway."

The toll bridge will span across the River Mersey and St Helens Canal, connecting Runcorn and Widnes. It is predicted this route, with three lanes either side, will take most of the traffic away from the existing Silver Jubilee bridge, which will also be tolled.

Once Mersey Gateway opens, plans for the existing bridge may involve closing some lanes down, or converting them for cycling, pedestrian or public transport use instead.

These positions will form the Mersey Gateways Crossing Board, operating as soon as the council achieves financial close with the Merseylink consortium, its preferred bidder for building, financing and running the project.