I AM writing this on the first day since Watkinson Way in Widnes has closed from the Hive Leisure park to the bridge and traffic was brought to a grinding halt this morning.

Drivers sat in long traffic jams stretching back to towards the M62 and roads in the town were gridlocked.

I know we have to put up with road closures and diversions to make way for the new bridge.

But the thought of six months of these delays fills me with dread.

When I saw the new traffic lights being installed to replace the roundabout at Hutchinson Street I thought it would keep the traffic flowing.

But there are so many people heading over to Runcorn from Widnes, especially in the morning, all you could see were queues.

I imagine it will be the same on my way home.

The bridge builders say they delayed this major road closure for more than a year.

Can’t imagine what that would have been like.

The new crossing can’t come soon enough.

Janet Cordley

Kingsway