I AM sure Warrington residents are, by now, aware that work has started in earnest on the new Mersey crossing which includes a new bridge, together with extensive alteration to the approaches on both sides of the river at Runcorn and Widnes.

While on the face of it this appears to be good news for the frustrated commuter who faces daily delays crossing the old Silver Jubilee bridge, what is not so widely known is the intention to place a toll on not only the new bridge, but the old one as well.

This toll will be £2 per crossing meaning, for someone who works on the other side of the Mersey, they will face a daily charge of £4.

So why, you ask, should this concern Warrington residents, after all Widnes and Runcorn are a long way away.

Well consider this – if that commuter is unwilling to pay that toll, he or she is going to look for the nearest alternative free bridge over the Mersey, and guess where that is... Right – it’s Warrington.

If you think the traffic situation in Warrington is bad now, (and it is), you ain’t seen nothing yet.

DAVID HANSFORD Grappenhall