BARROW’S MP is hoping to make a significant stride towards building a bridge across Morecambe Bay when he presents evidence to the Government. Simon Fell hopes to make the case for tidal energy in Cumbria as the Government launches a call for evidence as part of white paper on green energy. It comes as a petition calling for the bridge to be built reaches nearly 2,500 signatures. Mr Fell has worked with local campaigners, including Barrow councillor Alan Pemberton, to make the case for the bridge, which could cost £8bn to build. He said: “The Government is launching a call for evidence on marine energy. "The opportunity is there for us to make the case that tidal energy is something we should look at for Barrow. “We want to send a clear message to say we are all leading in offshore wind and other forms of green energy and that this is the place to come for renewable energy.” Hawcoat councillor Alan Pemberton has spent the last 10 years campaigning for the bridge across the Bay. He said: “Some people have been very negative about it. “But it hasn’t been pie in the sky, it’s been discussion with experts. “The next step is a feasibility study. Up to now we’ve ticked all the boxes. “We are trying to get a feasibility study that may sort out technical problems that arise and we need the Government to start the ball rolling. “Then I’m sure the private sector would be delighted to invest. “It will be beneficial for all the towns on the coast. “I think it’s got to come.” He said the bridge would stop ‘chaotic’ congestion on the A590, which he said could be increasingly important if Barrow’s marina village development goes ahead. “If you’ve got a yacht in the marina you don’t want to be travelling down the A590 and get stuck on it," he said. “We’ve got to bring Barrow into the accessible part of the country.” Mr Fell recently raised the prospect of the bridge in a question to the prime minister Boris Johnson, who called it an ‘attractive idea’.