BETTING experts have revealed odds on the completion of a mooted £10 billion crossing stretching from Barrow across Morecambe Bay.

Referencing the proposed Bay tidal barrage and additional bridge across the Duddon estuary, a spokeswoman for Paddy Power said ‘good things come to those who wait’.

Calls to provide a road crossing between Barrow and Heysham have abounded for decades.

Paddy Power gave odds of 14/1 on the bridges being completed before 2036.

And on the bridge being completed in 2036 or 2037, it gave odds as short as 5/1.

The odds for the project to be completed in 2038 or 2039 were given as 5/2 and 4/6 for 2040 or later.

Under potential plans, the multi-billion project would incorporate 130 hydro power turbines along the length of two bridges - one of 14km across Morecambe Bay and another of 5.5km between Barrow and Millom across the Duddon Estuary to generate electricity.

Supporters say the bridges would dramatically improve transport links, provide electricity and create thousands of jobs.

A spokeswoman for Paddy Power: “Good things come to those who wait and we definitely think the good people of Lancashire and south and west Cumbria hoping for a shorter link road will have to do just that, as it’s long odds of 14/1 that this project will be completed by 2036.

“In fact it’s odds on (4/6) they’ll have to wait until the following decade to nip across the Morecambe Bay and Duddon estuaries in their motors.”

Furness MP Simon Fell has been urging the government to consider the idea.

Boris Johnson, the prime minister, last year described the bridge as an ‘attractive idea’.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Johnson told the MP he would give the project ‘what support I can’.

Mr Fell said: “I’m not a betting man, but both the PM and Business Secretary have spoken recently about their support for marine energy, and the next contract for difference round gives them the opportunity to back a pilot project in the UK.

“We’re definitely some way off yet, but if you keep pushing the boulder you will eventually get to the top of the hill.”

Despite enthusiasm for the Morecambe Bay bridge, concerns have also been raised.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust previously raised serious fears over the bridge causing damage to wildlife in and around the Bay.

The Furness Line Action Group has also opposed the plan, citing low usage of the A590 and instead calling for people to use trains.