A SOFTWARE development company has launched a rival early warning system to alert motorists of the imminent opening of the swing bridges in Latchford, Stockton Heath and Walton.

oShip! - which has been created by v9 Solutions Ltd - is now up and running to help alleviate the congestion caused by the three bridges in the town.

The service, which is currently free to sign up to, offers early warning text alerts to notify users approximately 30 mins before the swing bridges open.

Principal Ux designer Catherine McDonough said: "Myself and the other two members to the v9 team all currently live in the local area and have to cross the swing bridge on our daily commute to work so have been caught out at rush hour a number of times by the swing bridge opening.

"This has meant not only have we been late into the office but have missed trains to important meetings. 

"Having spoken to others it is obvious that we are not the only ones who encounter these same problems and other problems such as being late for school and nursery pick ups and being caught in the backlog of traffic in Latchford and Grappenhall."

Although the council has already launched an early warning alerts system online and on social media sites, Catherine believes this is not personalised and invasive enough when it matters most.

She added: "You have to go look for it rather than being notified between the times you need. 

"As a computer engineering company we now have a system in development that uses sophisticated radio frequency analysis that boats use as anti-collision systems to track exact locations in the same way airplanes do."

To sign up visit oship.co.uk.