A SECOND crossing for the River Weaver in Winnington has come a step closer with news that council bosses are considering options.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) hopes to carry out a feasibility study into a new bridge to alleviate pressure on the existing single-lane Winnington Bridge.

Cllr Paul Dolan, a member of CWAC's ruling group and Northwich Town Council, said he had spoken to fellow cabinet member Cllr Brian Clarke, whose remit is economic development and infrastructure.

"I've had assurances from Brian Clarke that the issue is being considered with a view to a feasibility study," he said.

"That has then to go into a capital programme, and there are other competing elements in the capital programme, but I'm really hopeful that this will be seen as a priority for delivery."

Cllr Dolan was speaking at Northwich Town Council's meeting on Monday, where members had been asked to back Barnton Parish Council's Bridge2Barnton campaign.

This has seen more than 1,100 people sign an online petition, and hundreds more sign paper petitions, calling for CWAC to hold a public consultation about a second crossing before the end of 2016 and for work to start before May 2019.

Cllr Joanne Storey called on fellow town councillors to support the campaign after she and Cllr Terrry Murphy attended Barnton Parish Council's meeting.

"We both live in Winnington so suffer the traffic and it's just getting worse," she said.

"I know Winnington Avenue is shut and that does make it even worse but it's just not going to go away with all the extra housing being built over the next few years."

Cllr Janet Illidge said: "It just has to be done and the more we can do and the more fight we have in us the better.

"It has to happen, we can't go on like this."

Northwich Town Council voted unanimously to support the Bridge2Barnton campaign.