WHILE the news that second bridge for Walney may be disappointing, a long overdue dose of realism was probably needed.

No-one doubts that getting on and off the island can be a pain and is taking longer than ever.

Few of us enjoy queuing in lines of cars when there’s somewhere else we have got to be.

The reality is that, wherever you live, this is part and parcel of modern life. Being stuck in traffic happens in towns up and down the country.

There are far more vehicles on the roads now, so inevitably going anywhere takes longer than it used to.

Car use on the island is only likely to increase as its population increases, and Jubilee Bridge will not last forever.

It does seem odd that just a single road takes you on and off, but perhaps that’s the price you pay for island life?

It is right that councillors put the politics aside and band together for a long-term solution.

A causeway and a tunnel have been mooted but it remains to be seen how truly viable either of these projects are.

However, when cash for such schemes is handed out by Government, the rule of thumb tends to be that those areas where the most people will benefit, tend to get the money.

If you don’t try, you don’t get, but we wouldn’t advise anyone holding their breath