BUSINESS chiefs in Warrington are waiting to meet with Town Hall consultants to discuss the plans for a Bridge Foot Bypass.

At a board meeting of Warrington chamber of commerce and industry, the topic was again high on the agenda. While members agree something needs to be done to alleviate traffic problems on the busy junction, they feel a better scheme could be implemented.

The chamber's chief executive Colin Daniels said: "We would like to know what is in the consultants' traffic model and we are raising certain questions. For example, what happens within their plans when Thelwall Viaduct or the Runcorn Widnes Bridge is closed? What will happen with the opening of Omega because not all the traffic will come off at the new junction eight? How do Tesco and the stadium feature?

"We have a document from 1998 when the chamber was in discussions with the council about improving Bridge Foot because of the number of people who simply want to cross the river. That hasn't changed.

"We suggested a route which went from the Crosfields roundabout through Arpley Meadows, but the council said it would cost too much. However, the answer is not to waste £5 million on this."

Phil Johnson, assistant director of transportation and environmental design at the borough council, said: "No decision has yet been made on the development of a Bridge Foot bypass." He said a planning application might be submitted depending on the outcome of consultations.