Each stay cable consists of up to 91 individual steel strands

The 52m long cable one of 146 that will support Halton’s new 1km long reinforced concrete bridge from three pylons.

Gareth Stuart, Project Director of the Merseylink construction joint venture, said: “This marks a momentous occasion for the project.

“The stay cables will be an iconic feature of this landmark structure making it one of the most recognisable bridges in the UK.

“We’re now entering a new, very visual phase of the bridge construction, where people will be able to see the stay cables connected to the bridge deck as it emerges across the river week by week.”

Over 810 miles of the strands will be used on the project, around the same distance from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

Together the stay cables have a total load bearing capacity of about 53,500 tonnes, which is heavier than the QE2 ocean liner.

At 80 metres high, the central pylon will be shorter than the two outer pylons, which at 110 metres high (north pylon) and 125 metres high (south pylon) will give the bridge a unique look.