HALTON'S new £209m Mersey crossing will create thousands of new jobs, an exciting waterfront development and make house prices rocket.

A design and route have been chosen - now all we need is your help!

As a detailed dossier is finalised for the Government, World readers could play a crucial role in helping to secure funding for this vital link.

Council leader, Cllr Tony McDermott, chairman of the Second Mersey Crossing Group, said: "The more support we can produce as part of our evidence, the better.

"We want people to put pen to paper."

"More than 80,000 vehicles thunder over the bridge every day - it was only built for 60,000.

"We are constantly repairing it, we can't go on much longer," he said.

Businesses throughout the region have pledged their support as the bridge is set to rejuvenate the North West economy.

The new crossing would link east Widnes and east Runcorn for the first time, open up the waterfront for investment, create thousands of jobs and increase the value of residential and commercial properties

Whitehall decision makers now need to hear from people living and working in Halton.

Write and tell us how you have been affected by the traffic-clogged bridge and we will pass your letters on.

Just as Liverpool citizens helped win their city's Capital of Culture, your views could clinch the cash needed for the second crossing.

Perhaps you've missed a vital medical appointment, been late for a crucial job interview or suffered an emergency?

"The new bridge will unleash all sorts of possibilities," said Cllr McDermott.

"We've got unanimous agreement on the need for it and where it's going to be. Now we need support to strengthen our case."

Send your letters to: Bridge the Gap, World Group Newspaper, 162-164 Albert Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 6LJ or email us at newsroom@worldgroup.co.uk or send via our website www.thisisruncorn.co.uk or thisiswidnes.co.uk