TRAFFIC problems have been affecting roads surrounding the Mersey Gateway after a vehicle crashed into a nearby railway bridge.
Victoria Road, in Widnes, was shut last night and trains were stopped while emergency repairs were carried out.
The road remains closed this morning.
Network Rail is carrying out emergency repairs.
Victoria Road/Waterloo Road is closed at the railway bridge, as #NetworkRail carries out urgent repairs after a vehicle hit the bridge. It's anticipated the road will re-open on Saturday. Trains have been stopped from crossing the bridge #Widnes https://t.co/OZrBqGzF88 pic.twitter.com/YbGk96VHFb
— Halton Council (@HaltonBC) January 26, 2018
Halton Council said: “It is anticipated the road will re-open on Saturday.”
Motorists faced long delays during rush hour last night as roads in Widnes surrounding the new bridge were completely clogged.
Victoria Road runs underneath approach roads to the Mersey Gateway and links West Bank and the Catalyst and Eddarbridge industrial estates with the town centre.
One driver said: “I’ve never seen anything like it, you simply couldn’t move.
“All the roads were gridlocked. It took me an hour and a half instead of 10 minutes to get home.”
A West Bank resident said: “We were absolutely marooned. Traffic was bumper to bumper from Spike Island right along Waterloo Road and into the town centre.”
Diversions have been set up.
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