THE Runcorn-Widnes bridge was closed for more than six hours on Sunday evening as a man threatened to jump off the giant structure.

Thousands of motorists faced huge delays as roads throughout Widnes and Runcorn were gridlocked and traffic diverted through Warrington.

All four lanes were sealed off at 6.20pm and did not re-open until shortly after midnight when negotiators managed to talk the 32-year-old man down.

The man, from the Widnes area, was arrested and interviewed by police. He was not charged in connection with the incident on the bridge.

Halton Council is now planning urgent talks with the police to deter people climbing on to the bridge.

Furious motorists complained that they could have found alternative routes if warnings had been broadcast on local radio.

"It took me two hours to get home from Runcorn to Widnes," said one angry Hough Green woman. "If the police had put signs on the expressway, I could have avoided the traffic jam."

Another incensed driver said: "It's maddening that one person can cause such chaos. Surely something can be done to prevent it?"

Councillors are once again urging the Highways Agency to instal overhead warning signs on all the major motorways to alert drivers of any delays or bridge closures.

Cllr Rob Polhill, chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, said: "It was absolute bedlam. Thousands of motorists faced long traffic jams.

"We're asking for signs to be put on the M6 and M57 to warn drivers of any delays.

"We have got to look at ways of deterring people getting up on to the bridge. Eventually we hope to have cameras installed to alert police to situations like this."

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