Wide bridges needing time and funds (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
war chest
'funds' is the definition.
(I have seen 'hypothecated funds' mean 'war chest' so perhaps 'funds' could also mean 'war chest')
'wide bridges needing time' is the wordplay.
'wide' becomes 'w' (abbreviation e.g. in cricket).
'bridges' becomes 'arches'.
'needing' says to put letters next to each other.
'time' becomes 't'.
'w'+'arches'+'t'='WAR CHEST'
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for war chest that I've seen before include "Funds set aside" , "Funds for a campaign" , "funds for action?" , "Fighting fund" , "hypothecated funds" .)