I MOVED to Warrington in 1983 while working for the Manchester Ship Canal Company, now Peel Ports, where I had some involvement in the maintenance of the swing bridges.

These bridges are around 130 years old and thanks to their original design are able to carry modern day traffic.

I recall being present at a meeting between the MSC and Warrington Borough Council together with the emergency services, Cheshire Bridge Engineer and the motorway authority.

At this meeting it was explained that there needed to be an emergency repair to Latchford swing bridge which may entail a bridge closure for six weeks.

This caused no end of concern (panic?) around the table.

The MSC chief engineer explained in no uncertain terms that the bridge was MSC’s responsibility but the road traffic was not and I believe that this is still the case.

Recently the swing bridge on the A56 into Frodsham was taken out of service for 12 months for a major repair which necessitated the construction of a temporary bridge.

This temporary bridge could not be swung and needed a canal closure, something I think would be unacceptable to Peel.

It is difficult to see where a temporary bridge could be placed in Warrington if such a repair had to be carried out on one of the swing bridges.

In the time I have lived here the various authorities in Warrington have laudably and successfully sought to attract businesses to the town and have expanded the size of the town.

Unfortunately, and to their detriment, they have not improved the road systems to cater for the inevitable increase in traffic.

The system to the south of the canal is virtually unchanged.

Their idea of improving traffic flows is to install traffic lights at every opportunity.

The road past Cockhedge to Winwick Road is a constant queue and the traffic lights at the roundabout at Midland Way, which come on at their convenience, only make matters worse.

Similarly there is a never ending queue through Stockton Heath due entirely to traffic lights.

It is great to have traffic lights phased to keep it flowing but this does not work when pedestriancontrolled lights are involved.

Why do we need pedestrian controlled lights at the north end of the bridge when there are lights at the south side and also at the entrance to Morrisons?

It is time someone at WBC got a grip and came up with a practical solution to improve the north-south road system.

The scheme to relieve Bridge Foot will not solve Stockton Heath or Latchford problems.

I would suggest the town needs a proper western bypass giving access to both the M62 and the M56.

Also the Cantilever bridge should be adopted by the town, removed and replaced with a modern lightweight bridge capable of carrying heavy goods vehicles.

This could act as a diversion for when the Latchford bridge swings.

The approach roads are already there and the abutments could be strengthened.

RAY SINCLAIR Grappenhall