AS we await the opening of Halton’s second Mersey crossing, imagine how isolated people felt before there was any bridge.

Local historian Alan Foster has unearthed details of the first public meeting encouraging investors to bridge the gap – 200 years ago.

A newspaper cutting from The Liverpool Mercury in 1816 describes how landowners from miles around gathered to try and build a Runcorn Bridge.

Lord Crewe, The Earl of Derby and Earl Grosvenor were among a long list of noblemen invited to form a committee.

However, despite their diligent efforts to produce plans, surveys and estimates, nothing materialised.

Alan Foster, 80, of Holyrood Avenue, Farnworth, said: “It is quite extraordinary.

“It was for the benefit of people on both sides of the river but it didn’t come to anything.

“They were very rich men in their day but they must have found it too expensive.

“It would have been quite an undertaking all those years ago.”

In those days, the only way across the river was on a small rowing boat at Runcorn or dicing with death walking or riding across Hale Ford.

For centuries, farmers braved the strong tides to cross with animals and perishable goods such as cheese.

Parish records at St Mary’s churchyard show that drowning was a frequent occurrence.

“It was only 100 years later, in 1866 that the railway bridge, which had a footpath opened,” said Alan.

In 1902, The Old Transporter, the first and biggest of its kind in the world meant that vehicles could cross the Mersey.

This structure was demolished when the Silver Jubilee bridge was built in 1961.

Now the £1.86 billion six lane tolled Mersey Gateway is taking shape and is set to open in autumn 2017.

“It’s amazing to think that 200 years ago people were trying to bridge that gap,” added Alan.

“Social history is fascinating.”