For the last ten days there has been a small jack-up rig in the Rivery Mersey. It`s now clear that the reason the marine drilling rig is out there, is because it is investigating how the upper channels of the river Mersey move. Also it has been drilling in various locations taking samples of the rock and soil samples below the river.

Halton Council hopes that this measure of investigations on the river will help prevent or minimise the impact towards wildelife and the river, once building work starts for the new bridge!

The above photographs have been taken by Mr V.G Philips of Hale Village and Mrs Louise O`Leary of Hale Lighthouse.