The FCC, Kier and Samsung construction team expects to create more than 4,600 jobs during the project.

The first jobs for the consortium include clearing the site, conducting geotechnical studies of the terrain and inspecting existing bridges that have to be remodelled. Among tasks in the coming months are the construction of three cofferdams in the Mersey for the pylons and creating a temporary access bridge.

The new bridge will be more than 2km long and is likely to carry 80,000 vehicles a day.

The project includes the design, construction, financing, maintenance and 30 years’ operation of the bridge.