Readers are rightly worried about growing congestion caused by Peel Ports opening the ship canal swing bridges during rush hour. I share those concerns and I support the Guardian’s ‘Swing Off Peak’ campaign.

But action is needed, not just words. That’s why I’m leading a cross-party campaign to challenge the legal stranglehold that Peel has on swing bridges under the Manchester Ship Canal Acts. It’s wrong that a private company can cause such a public nuisance to thousands of drivers.

I want Government to review this Victorian legislation and consider creating an independent tribunal to make fair decisions about the bridges.

Having had positive conversations with our Labour council about my plan for an independent tribunal, I’ve written to the Tory and LibDem group leaders and our Tory MP to secure their backing. Sadly, Tory ministers have so far refused to act. I have also written to Mary Creagh MP, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, to ensure a future Labour Government would back Warrington.

In addition Labour councillors and myself continue to lobby Tory ministers to drop plans for new road tolls on the Runcorn Bridge and new Mersey Gateway Crossing which would meanyet more congestion here. Tory ministers have abandoned tolls on a road in southern England – it’s grossly unfair to impose them in the north west.

More details can be found online at WarringtonSouth.org

Nick Bent, Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Warrington South