BARNTON residents are being asked to support a campaign for a second river crossing between Winnington and Barnton.

The campaign is the idea of Barnton Parish Council, which is seeking to enlist the support of Tatton MP George Osborne as well as local people for an additional crossing over the River Weaver.

The proposed campaign is aimed at securing a second crossing to take the pressure off the single lane Winnington Bridge.

Barnton Parish Council clerk Philip Evoy said another crossing was needed to cope with the development of Winnington Urban Village, and he contacted the Guardian last month to highlight the months of roadworks facing motorists linked to the creation of the development.

The volume of traffic between Winnington and Barnton had increased greatly, he said, and traffic had ground to a halt for up to two hours recently following a minor accident on one side of the swing bridge.

“The resulting mayhem on the roads underscores the massive problems which are building up,” said Mr Evoy.

“We have been promised a second bridge in the past, but it has not happened.

“If you assume at least two cars for each new property at the Urban Village you are talking of thousands of new vehicles on that road, and we are left with a single lane bridge across the river which we cannot touch because it has a preservation order on it.

“If it is closed for any reason it is a nightmare for commuters, and as a parish council we are looking at organising a campaign to raise awareness of the vital need for a second crossing.

“We want the support and participation of not just the community in Barnton but also the other parish councils which are being and will be affected by the increasing traffic problems.

“We will be writing to George Osborne to seek his support to raise awareness of the need for an additional crossing and to bring pressure to get what we were promised years ago.

“We are looking for creative ideas to take the campaign forward, and I can be contacted on barntonpc@aol.co.uk.”