{"history":[],"article":{"id":"5a9ffd3f-8581-4f90-81d9-27738ec8e09b","title":"Runcorn","slug":"runcorn","content":":::summary\n**Country:** England \n**Static Image Name:** Silver Jubilee Bridge, Runcorn at night (geograph 4431283).jpg \n**Static Image Caption:** Runcorn's [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge) \n**Static Image Width:** 280px \n**Static Image 2 Name:** Coat of Arms of Runcorn.svg \n**Static Image 2 Caption:** Coat of arms \n**Static Image 2 Width:** 100px \n**Official Name:** Runcorn \n**Type:** Town \n**Coordinates:** 53.3417°N, -2.7313°W \n**London Distance:** 167 mi \n**London Direction:** SE \n**Population:** 62,100 \n**Population Ref:** ([2021](https://bliptext.com/articles/2021-united-kingdom-census)) \n**Population Demonym:** Runcornian \n**Unitary England:** [Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/borough-of-halton) \n**Region:** North West England \n**Lieutenancy England:** [Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire) \n**Constituency Westminster:** [Runcorn and Helsby](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-and-helsby-uk-parliament-constituency) \n**Post Town:** RUNCORN \n**Postcode Area:** WA \n**Postcode District:** WA7 \n**Dial Code:** 01928 \n**Os Grid Reference:** SJ 5140 8300 \n:::\n\n# \n**Runcorn** is an industrial town and [cargo port](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-docks) in the [Borough of Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/borough-of-halton), [Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire), England.\nIts population in 2021 was 62,100.\nRuncorn is on the southern bank of the [River Mersey](https://bliptext.com/articles/river-mersey), where the estuary narrows to form the [Runcorn Gap](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-gap).\nIt lies on the southern shore of the River Mersey 15 miles (24 km) upstream from the port of Liverpool.\nRuncorn was founded by [Æthelflæd of Mercia](https://bliptext.com/articles/thelfl-d) in 915 AD as a fortification to guard against Viking invasion at a narrowing of the River Mersey.\nUnder Norman rule, Runcorn fell under the [Barony of Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-barony) and an Augustinian abbey was established here in 1115.\nIt remained a small, isolated settlement until the [Industrial Revolution](https://bliptext.com/articles/industrial-revolution) when the extension of the [Bridgewater Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/bridgewater-canal) to Runcorn in 1776 established it as a [port](https://bliptext.com/articles/port-of-runcorn) which would link [Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool) with inland [Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester) and Staffordshire.\nThe docks enabled the growth of industry, initially shipwrights and sandstone quarries.\nIn the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it was a spa and health resort but this ended with the growth of polluting industries, especially soap and chemical works.\nIn 1964, Runcorn was designated a [new town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-towns-in-the-united-kingdom) and expanded eastward, swallowing neighbouring settlements and more than doubling its population.\nThree bridges span the River Mersey and the [Manchester Ship Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-ship-canal) at Runcorn: the [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge), [Mersey Gateway](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-gateway), and [Runcorn Railway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-bridge).\nIts location between Liverpool and Manchester and its links to the rail, motorway and canal networks have made it a centre for manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale and retail.\nThe town's motto is Navem Mercibus Implere (Latin for \"fill the ship with goods\"), a classical quotation from [Juvenal](https://bliptext.com/articles/juvenal).\n\n# History\n\n## Early history\nThe earliest written reference to the town is in the [Anglo-Saxon Chronicle](https://bliptext.com/articles/anglo-saxon-chronicle), where it is spelled \"Rumcofan\", literally meaning \"a wide cove or bay\".\nThis word is derived from the [Old English](https://bliptext.com/articles/old-english-language) words \"rúm\" (\"wide\" or \"broad\") and \"cofa\" (\"cave\" or \"cove\").\nOther historical spellings of Runcorn include \"Rumcoven\", \"Ronchestorn\", \"Runckhorne\", and \"Runcorne\".\nLittle is known about the early history of the settlement but isolated findings of objects from the [Stone](https://bliptext.com/articles/stone-age), [Bronze](https://bliptext.com/articles/bronze-age), and [Iron Ages](https://bliptext.com/articles/iron-age) have been made and there is evidence of a [Roman](https://bliptext.com/articles/roman-empire) presence in the area.\nThe first recorded event in its history is the building by [Æthelflæd](https://bliptext.com/articles/thelfl-d) of a fortification at Runcorn to protect the northern frontier of her kingdom of [Mercia](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercia) against the [Vikings](https://bliptext.com/articles/viking) in 915.\nThe fort was built on Castle Rock overlooking the River Mersey at Runcorn Gap.\n\n## Medieval\nFollowing the [Norman conquest](https://bliptext.com/articles/norman-conquest), Runcorn was not mentioned in the 1086 [Domesday](https://bliptext.com/articles/domesday-book) survey, although surrounding settlements were.\n[William the Conqueror](https://bliptext.com/articles/william-i-of-england) granted the [earldom of Chester](https://bliptext.com/articles/earl-of-chester) to [Hugh d'Avranches](https://bliptext.com/articles/hugh-d-avranches-1st-earl-of-chester) who granted the barony of Halton to Nigel.\nIt is likely that Nigel erected a [motte and bailey](https://bliptext.com/articles/motte-and-bailey) castle on Halton Hill in the 1070s.\nIn 1115, Nigel's son, William Fitznigel, founded an [Augustinian](https://bliptext.com/articles/augustinians) [Priory](https://bliptext.com/articles/priory) at [Runcorn](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-priory).\nIn 1134, the priory was moved to Norton, about 3.5 mi away.\nIn 1391, the priory was raised to the higher status of [abbey](https://bliptext.com/articles/abbey).\nIn 1536, the [monastery was dissolved](https://bliptext.com/articles/dissolution-of-the-monasteries), and around nine years later, the buildings and some of the monastic lands were sold to Sir [Richard Brooke](https://bliptext.com/articles/richard-brooke-norton) who converted the habitable part of the abbey into a house.\nIn 1565, [Rocksavage](https://bliptext.com/articles/rocksavage), an Elizabethan Hall, was constructed for Sir John Savage in Clifton, now part of Runcorn.\n# [Arms of the Baron of Halton | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Arms///of///Baron///of///Haulton///02755.jpg]\n\n## English Civil War\nDuring the [Civil War](https://bliptext.com/articles/english-civil-war), [Halton Castle](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-castle) was held for the [Royalists](https://bliptext.com/articles/cavaliers) by John Savage, 2nd [Earl Rivers](https://bliptext.com/articles/earl-rivers), the Steward of Halton.\nIt fell twice to Parliamentarian [Roundheads](https://bliptext.com/articles/roundheads).\nThe first siege was led by [Sir William Brereton](https://bliptext.com/articles/sir-william-brereton-1st-baronet) in 1643; the second was during the following year.\nFollowing this, a \"Council of War\" was held in Warrington in 1646 at which it was decided that the castle should be [slighted](https://bliptext.com/articles/slighting).\nIn 1656, Runcorn was described as being \"nothing but a fair parish church, a parsonage and a few scattered tenements\".\nAnd so it remained for over a century, an isolated and poor hamlet.\nThe only through traffic used the ferry which crossed from Runcorn to the north bank of the River Mersey.\n# [An engraving of the slighted Halton Castle in the 18th century | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Halton///Castle///engraving.jpg]\n\n## Industrialisation\nDuring the 18th century, water transport had been improved in the area by the [Mersey and Irwell Navigation](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-and-irwell-navigation), the [Bridgewater Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/bridgewater-canal) and the [Trent and Mersey Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/trent-and-mersey-canal).\nThis gave Runcorn waterway connections with most of the interior of England through the canal system and with the sea along the River Mersey, thus forming the basis for the development of the Port of Runcorn.\nLater came the [Runcorn to Latchford Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-to-latchford-canal) linking with the Mersey and Irwell Navigation, and the Weston Canal which gave better access to the [Weaver Navigation](https://bliptext.com/articles/river-weaver) system.\nIndustries began to develop within and around the town, in particular shipbuilding, engineering, chemical manufacturing, tanning, and [sandstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/sandstone) quarrying.\nTowards the end of the 18th century and in the early years of the 19th century, the town was a health resort.\nThe growth of industry did not diminish Runcorn's late 18th and early 19th century reputation as a health resort and the \"Montpelier of England\".\nIn 1822 the town's first Saltwater Baths opened followed by new visitor accommodation in Belvedere Terrace in 1831.\nIn the middle of the century, the growing wealth of the town and its industrialists saw the construction of several new landmarks, including [Halton Grange](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-town-hall), St Paul's Methodist Chapel and [All Saints' Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-saints-church-runcorn).\nFor hundreds of years, the only means of crossing the River Mersey at this point had been by the Runcorn ferry.\n[Thomas Telford](https://bliptext.com/articles/thomas-telford) proposed a 1000 ft single span suspension bridge as early as 1817, but it was not until 1868 that the first bridge, [Runcorn Railway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-bridge), was opened across the Mersey at Runcorn.\nThis gave the town direct rail links with [Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool) and the rest of the country.\nRuncorn was becoming an industrialised and highly polluted town.\nDuring the later 19th century the town became increasingly dominated by the chemical and tanning industries.\nIn the 1880s a pipeline was opened between [Northwich](https://bliptext.com/articles/northwich) and Weston Point, supplying brine to the salt works and in 1896 the Castner Kellner chemical works was established.\nIn 1894 the [Manchester Ship Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-ship-canal) was opened throughout its length.\nThis allowed ocean-going ships to travel inland as far as [Salford](https://bliptext.com/articles/salford-greater-manchester), some of them calling at the port of Runcorn.\nThe rise in population between 1881 and 1891 and the drop by 1901 is explained by the number of people involved in constructing the ship canal.\nIn 1905, the [Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/widnes-runcorn-transporter-bridge) opened, giving a direct link for vehicular traffic for the first time between the two towns.\nThis would not be replaced until 1961 with the construction of Runcorn Road Bridge (since renamed the [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge)) which allowed a more efficient means of road traffic across Runcorn Gap.\nDuring the first half of the 20th century, the industry of the town continued to be dominated by chemicals and tanning.\nThis growth was largely due to government fixed-priced cost contracts for tanned hides.\nIn 1926, four chemical companies merged to form [Imperial Chemical Industries](https://bliptext.com/articles/imperial-chemical-industries) (ICI).\nDuring the second half of the 20th century, the tanneries closed (the last to close was the Highfield Tannery in the late 1960s) and the chemical industry declined.\nAt the same time, light industry developed together with warehouses and distribution centres.\n# [Painting entitled Runcorn Gap by Henry Mark Anthony depicting the Bridgewater Docks and Runcorn Railway Bridge under construction | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Henry///Mark///Anthony///-///Runcorn///Gap.jpg]\n# [St Paul's Methodist Chapel, since demolished | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/St///Paul%27s///%28drawing%29.jpg]\n\n## Second World War\nIn 1937, [ICI](https://bliptext.com/articles/imperial-chemical-industries) began to build a new factory for [mustard gas](https://bliptext.com/articles/mustard-gas) production at their Randle plant on [Wigg Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/wigg-island).\nThe ICI chemical plants at Runcorn featured in the Gestapo [Black Book](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-black-book-list) as a company of special interest but although the works at Weston Point were discussed at [Luftwaffe](https://bliptext.com/articles/luftwaffe) briefings in 1940, the town was never deliberately targeted and was subject only to very limited bombing.\n# [A Second World War pillbox fortification near the Rocksavage works. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Type///24///pillbox///in///Runcorn.jpg]\n\n## New Town development\nIn September 1963, the [Ministry of Housing and Local Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/ministry-of-housing-and-local-government) published a draft of the Runcorn New Town (Designation) Order which would allocate 7750 acre in and around Runcorn for development of a new town under the [New Towns Act 1946](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-towns-act-1946).\nThe ministry cited the urgent need for more housing to reduce overcrowding in Liverpool and to increase the rate of [slum clearance](https://bliptext.com/articles/slum-clearance-in-the-united-kingdom) there.\nRuncorn was chosen because of its strong road, rail and canal connections, ample water supply, convenient location on the Mersey Estuary for the disposal of effluent, established industry and the availability of land for more.\nFollowing objections to the draft order, a [public Local Inquiry](https://bliptext.com/articles/public-inquiry) was held at Runcorn from 10 to 12 December 1963.\nThe subsequent report accepted the location in principle and the proposed population of 90,000.\nIt did, however, recommend that 500 acre around the village of [Sutton Weaver](https://bliptext.com/articles/sutton-weaver) to the south of the [Chester–Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/chester-to-manchester-line) and [Crewe–Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/crewe-liverpool-line) railway lines be excluded from the designated area, partly to preserve its highly productive agricultural land.\nThe minister, [Keith Joseph](https://bliptext.com/articles/keith-joseph), accepted the report's recommendations and the designation order was made on 10 April 1964.\nThe new town masterplan of 1967 more than doubled the population as it encompassed neighbouring settlements and created new housing estates to the south and east.\nThe key features of the new town were its unique housing and estate designs, segregated pedestrian pathways, [Busway](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-busway), extensive landscaped green space, separate industrial areas and new town centre.\nThe new town centre was designated at the geographical heart of the expanded town with [Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city), an American style enclosed mall, as its focus.\nThis was a source of conflict between [Arthur Ling](https://bliptext.com/articles/arthur-ling), the new town Master Planner, and [Fred Roche](https://bliptext.com/articles/fred-roche), Chief Architect.\nWhereas Ling envisaged a centre reminiscent of a citadel or acropolis at the base of Halton Castle, Roche preferred to expand the existing town centre, partly to placate the Urban District Council and existing traders.\nThe new Halton site was favoured and Shopping City opened in 1972.\nHowever, the Urban District Council secured a commitment from the Development Corporation to continue a programme of regeneration which the council had already begun.\nIn 1971, the Development Corporation published Master Plan Amendment No.1 which focused on the urban renewal of the Old Town centre, now designated a smaller 'district centre'.\nThe plan sought to increase public open space,\nreduce shopping provision, rationalise roads and renew housing stock.\nIt also included plans to widen the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge from two to four lanes and create a new system of junctions between the bridge and the expressway.\nThe masterplan was amended for the second and final time in 1975.\nAmendment No.2 extended the expressway further to the east and redesignated land at Sandymoor intended for industrial use to residential.\nThe Runcorn Development Corporation merged with Warrington Development Corporation on 1 April 1981 and was wound up on 30 September 1989.\nMuch of the architecture of the new town was innovative, especially the [Southgate development](https://bliptext.com/articles/southgate-estate) designed by [Sir James Stirling](https://bliptext.com/articles/james-stirling-architect) and built between 1970 and 1977.\nStirling's housing development was beset with problems and it was demolished in the early 1990s.\nIn 2002, the Castlefields Partnership (made up of [English Partnerships](https://bliptext.com/articles/english-partnerships) and Halton Borough Council) was created to comprehensively redevelop the Castlefields estate, including the demolition of over 700 deck access flats.\n# [The ill-fated Southgate Estate in Runcorn New Town | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Southgate///Estate%2C///Runcorn%2C///August///1989%2C///2.jpg]\n\n# Governance\n\n## Local government\nRuncorn is [unparished](https://bliptext.com/articles/unparished-area) with the exception of [Sandymoor](https://bliptext.com/articles/sandymoor), and a large part of the Whitehouse Industrial Estate which falls under [Preston Brook](https://bliptext.com/articles/preston-brook) Parish Council.\nThe local authority is [Halton Borough Council](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-borough-council) for which the town is divided into nine [electoral wards](https://bliptext.com/articles/wards-and-electoral-divisions-of-the-united-kingdom), each electing three councillors.\nAt the time of the [Domesday](https://bliptext.com/articles/domesday-book) survey, Runcorn was in the [hundred](https://bliptext.com/articles/hundred-country-subdivision) of Tunendune, but later, and until the early 19th century, Runcorn was part of the Bucklow [hundred](https://bliptext.com/articles/hundred-country-subdivision).\nUnder the Runcorn Improvement Act 1852, a board of [Improvement Commissioners](https://bliptext.com/articles/improvement-commissioners) was established to administer the civil government of the town.\nBy the [Local Government Act 1894](https://bliptext.com/articles/local-government-act-1894), the administration of the town and the surrounding areas was divided into [Runcorn Urban District](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-urban-district) and [Runcorn Rural District](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rural-district).\nInitially the urban district consisted of only the built-up area of Runcorn itself.\nBy 1937, this area had been extended to include the communities of [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-halton) and [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-halton) Point to the south.\nIn 1964, Runcorn was designated as a [New Town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-towns-in-the-united-kingdom) and greatly expanded so that by 1971 it had grown to incorporate the village of Halton.\nRuncorn Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the [Local Government Act 1972](https://bliptext.com/articles/local-government-act-1972) when it merged with the [Municipal Borough of Widnes](https://bliptext.com/articles/municipal-borough-of-widnes) and parts of [Runcorn Rural District](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rural-district) and [Whiston Rural District](https://bliptext.com/articles/whiston-rural-district) to form the [Borough of Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/borough-of-halton) under Halton Borough Council and [Cheshire County Council](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire-county-council).\nIn 1998, Halton Borough Council became a [unitary authority](https://bliptext.com/articles/unitary-authority) within the ceremonial county of Cheshire.\nIn April 2014, Halton Borough Council joined five other local authorities in [Merseyside](https://bliptext.com/articles/merseyside) to form the [Liverpool City Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-city-region).\n# [Runcorn Town Hall, formerly Halton Grange | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Runcorn///Town///Hall.jpg]\n\n## Westminster representation\nRuncorn is in the [Runcorn and Helsby constituency](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-and-helsby-uk-parliament-constituency) for representation in the [House of Commons](https://bliptext.com/articles/house-of-commons-of-the-united-kingdom).\nThe seat has been held by [Mike Amesbury](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-amesbury) of the [Labour Party](https://bliptext.com/articles/labour-party-uk) since its creation for the [2024 general election](https://bliptext.com/articles/2024-united-kingdom-general-election).\nFrom 1997 to 2024, Runcorn was split between the two constituencies of [Weaver Vale](https://bliptext.com/articles/weaver-vale-uk-parliament-constituency) and [Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-uk-parliament-constituency).\nPrior to their abolition, those seats were held by Mike Amesbury and [Derek Twigg](https://bliptext.com/articles/derek-twigg) respectively, both of the [Labour Party](https://bliptext.com/articles/labour-party-uk).\nWhile Halton was a [safe](https://bliptext.com/articles/safe-seat) Labour seat since its creation in 1983, Weaver Vale was a [marginal seat](https://bliptext.com/articles/marginal-seat) and switched between the Labour and [Conservative](https://bliptext.com/articles/conservative-party-uk) parties several times since its creation in 1997.\nBefore the [Reform Act 1832](https://bliptext.com/articles/reform-act-1832), Runcorn was in the [constituency](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-kingdom-constituencies) of Cheshire which was represented by two [Members of Parliament](https://bliptext.com/articles/member-of-parliament-united-kingdom).\nFollowing the Reform Act, the town was placed in the [North Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-cheshire-uk-parliament-constituency) constituency and from 1868 in the [Mid Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/mid-cheshire-uk-parliament-constituency) constituency.\nFrom 1885 to 1950 the town was in the constituency of [Northwich](https://bliptext.com/articles/northwich-uk-parliament-constituency).\nThe [constituency of Runcorn](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-uk-parliament-constituency) was created by a 1948 [Act of Parliament](https://bliptext.com/articles/act-of-parliament) and [Dennis Vosper](https://bliptext.com/articles/dennis-vosper-baron-runcorn) was the first to be elected to the seat in 1950.\nIn 1964, he was succeeded by [Mark Carlisle](https://bliptext.com/articles/mark-carlisle) who held the seat until the constituency of Runcorn was abolished in 1983 and split between the constituencies of Halton and [Warrington South](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-south-uk-parliament-constituency).\n\n# Geography\n\n## Topography\nRuncorn is situated on a spur projecting into the River Mersey, which flows to the north and then to the west of the town.\nOn the north bank of the river is another spur forming the West Bank area of Widnes; together these form Runcorn Gap, a narrowing of the River Mersey.\nThe town is bounded to the southwest by the [Weaver Navigation](https://bliptext.com/articles/weaver-navigation); to the south by the [Chester–Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/chester-to-manchester-line) and [Crewe–Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/crewe-liverpool-line) railway lines; and to the east by the [West Coast Main Line](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-coast-main-line) until the village of [Moore](https://bliptext.com/articles/moore-cheshire).\nA series of valleys is formed by high points at Runcorn Hill (75m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)), Halton Castle (75m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)), Windmill Hill (70m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)) and Keckwick Hill (75m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)).\nRuncorn Gap is crossed by three bridges: Runcorn Railway Bridge (which carries the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Main Line), the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the Mersey Gateway which carries the [A533](https://bliptext.com/articles/a533-road).\nA system of dual carriageways called 'expressways' form a figure of 8 around the town.\nThe Central Expressway runs through the centre of the town in a north–south direction and is the main through-road.\nIt connects to the [M56 motorway](https://bliptext.com/articles/m56-motorway) which cuts into the south of the town.\nTo the west of the Central Expressway lies the Old Town of Runcorn, Higher Runcorn, [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-runcorn), [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-runcorn) Point and Clifton (formerly Rocksavage), and the new town estates of Halton Brook and Halton Lodge.\nTo the east are the formerly separate villages of [Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-runcorn) and [Norton](https://bliptext.com/articles/norton-runcorn), and the new town estates of Castlefields, Palacefields, Windmill Hill, Murdishaw, Brookvale, Hallwood Park, [Beechwood](https://bliptext.com/articles/beechwood-runcorn) and [Sandymoor](https://bliptext.com/articles/sandymoor).\nThe density of housing is generally high, but there are open green areas, in particular [heathland](https://bliptext.com/articles/heath-habitat) on Runcorn Hill and the extensive Town Park created as part of the new town.\nHousing is typically situated within the expressways and industry outside.\n# [Aerial view of the Runcorn Gap | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Runcorn///bridges///aerial.jpg]\n\n## Geology\nThe Runcorn area drains into the River Mersey to the north and the River Weaver to the south.\nThe [bedrock](https://bliptext.com/articles/bedrock) geology of the River Mersey and the northern and western fringes of Runcorn is [Sherwood Sandstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/sherwood-sandstone-group) and pebbly sandstone.\nTo the south there is a transition to siltstone, sandstone and predominantly [Mercia Mudstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercia-mudstone-group).\nThe primary sedimentary rock is [New Red Sandstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-red-sandstone).\nThe [superficial geology](https://bliptext.com/articles/superficial-deposits) is varied with pockets of sand and [diamicton](https://bliptext.com/articles/diamicton) along the lower-lying land adjacent to the Mersey and through Runcorn.\nSand and gravel becomes common on the southern fringes of the town and elsewhere there are small pockets of clay, silt, sand and gravel.\n# [Runcorn Hill, showing cutting through sandstone | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Runcorn///Hill///3.jpg]\n\n## Ecology\nThere are two [Sites of Special Scientific Interest](https://bliptext.com/articles/site-of-special-scientific-interest) within the town: [Floodbrook Clough](https://bliptext.com/articles/floodbrook-clough) and the Mersey Estuary.\nFloodbrook Clough in Beechwood is an [Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland](https://bliptext.com/articles/ancient-woodland) and one of the best examples in Cheshire of clough woodland on [keuper marl](https://bliptext.com/articles/keuper-marl).\nThere are five [Local Nature Reserves](https://bliptext.com/articles/local-nature-reserve) designated under the [National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949): Runcorn Hill, Dorchester Park, Oxmoor Woods, Wigg Island and Murdishaw Valley.\n\n# Demography\n\n## Population growth\nEarly census statistics for the town include only the areas known now as the Old Town and Higher Runcorn.\nIn 1936, Runcorn Urban District grew to incorporate the neighbouring village of Weston.\nThe present statistical boundaries of Runcorn were defined in the Runcorn New Town (Designation) Order 1964 which greatly expanded the town to the east.\nThe population of Runcorn in 1664 has been estimated as 305.\n\n## Religion\nIn the 2021 [census](https://bliptext.com/articles/census), 52.5% said they were [Christian](https://bliptext.com/articles/christianity), down from 70.1% in 2011.\n41.5% stated that they had \"no religion\" and 4.6% made no religious claims.\nThose stating their religions as [Buddhist](https://bliptext.com/articles/buddhism), [Hindu](https://bliptext.com/articles/hinduism), [Jewish](https://bliptext.com/articles/judaism), [Muslim](https://bliptext.com/articles/islam), [Sikh](https://bliptext.com/articles/sikhism) or other amounted to 1.3%.\nThe town's [Anglican](https://bliptext.com/articles/anglicanism) churches are part of the [Diocese of Chester](https://bliptext.com/articles/diocese-of-chester) and the Deanery of Frodsham.\nThe parish church is [All Saints Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-saints-church-runcorn), and there are 10 other Anglican churches in the town.\nFive [Catholic](https://bliptext.com/articles/catholic-church) churches can be found in Runcorn and are administered by the [Diocese of Shrewsbury](https://bliptext.com/articles/diocese-of-shrewsbury).\nThere are two [Methodist](https://bliptext.com/articles/methodist-church-of-great-britain) chapels and several shared churches.\nWicksten Drive Christian Centre is shared between Anglicans and Methodists.\nHallwood Ecumenical Parish in [Beechwood](https://bliptext.com/articles/beechwood-runcorn) and Palace Fields consists of 2 churches, both recognised by the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the [United Reformed Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-reformed-church).\nThere is also a [Pentecostal](https://bliptext.com/articles/pentecostalism) church, two independent [evangelical](https://bliptext.com/articles/evangelicalism) churches, a [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](https://bliptext.com/articles/mormon) chapel, a [spiritualist](https://bliptext.com/articles/spiritualism-religious-movement) church, and a [Jehovah's Witnesses](https://bliptext.com/articles/jehovah-s-witnesses) [Kingdom Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/kingdom-hall).\nIn 2013, the former Waterloo Hotel was converted into a Buddhist temple by [Wat Phra Singh](https://bliptext.com/articles/wat-phra-singh).\n, there are five resident monks.\n# [All Saints' Parish Church | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Runcorn///All///Saints///1.jpg]\n\n## Ethnicity\nIn the 2021 census, of Runcorn's 62,100 residents, 96.6% identified as White.\nMixed/multiple ethnic groups made up 1.5%; Asian/Asian British/Asian Welsh 1.0%; Black/Black British/Black Welsh/Caribbean/African 0.4%; and Other ethnic group 0.6%.\n97.4% had English as a first language.\n\n# Economy\nIn 2020, the [GVA](https://bliptext.com/articles/gross-value-added) for the Runcorn Built-up Area Sub-division was £2.86 billion.\nRuncorn has a higher proportion of people working in manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale and retail than the average for England.\nChemical manufacturing has been the town's dominant sector since the 19th century, but the local economy has increasingly diversified into other advanced manufacturing sectors, such as aerospace and automotive, as well as services and logistics.\nThe main industrial areas of the town are Astmoor, Manor Park, Whitehouse, the Heath and Weston Point.\nSci-Tech Daresbury is to the southeast of the town.\nThe main retail and leisure area is [Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city) in the centre of the town with a smaller district centre at the old town.\n\n## Manufacturing and chemicals\nThe town's chemical industry was dominated for many years by [ICI](https://bliptext.com/articles/imperial-chemical-industries)'s Chlor Chemical division.\nBut since 2001, Inovyn (a wholly owned subsidiary of [Ineos](https://bliptext.com/articles/ineos)) has operated the extensive chemical works in the west of the town, employing 750 people in 2020.\nIn Runcorn, Invoyn manufactures chlorine, caustic soda and chlorinated derivatives.\nIt also produces salt, made from [brine](https://bliptext.com/articles/brine) transported by [pipeline](https://bliptext.com/articles/pipeline-transport) from the saltfields of central Cheshire, and sulphuric acid.\nSeveral other chemical manufacturers also have a presence at the site, including Koura (formerly [Mexichem](https://bliptext.com/articles/orbia) Fluor), Industrial Chemicals, Packed Chlorine Limited, VYNOVA and Runcorn MCP Ltd (a joint venture between INOVYN and VYNOVA).\nThe site is considered to be of strategic national importance to the UK.\nThe site includes two independently owned power stations; the 810 MW natural gas fired [Rocksavage Power Station](https://bliptext.com/articles/rocksavage-power-station) and the Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility operated by Viridor which also supplies heat to the Inovyn facility.\nICI's other former site in Runcorn comprising offices and laboratories is now the Heath Business and Technical Park, which provides office, laboratory, conference, and leisure facilities.\nOther large employers include advanced manufacturing firms Sigmatex (manufacturer of carbon fibre), [Héroux-Devtek](https://bliptext.com/articles/h-roux-devtek) (manufacturer of aircraft landing gear), [Whitford](https://bliptext.com/articles/ppg-industries) (manufacturer of speciality coatings), [Teva](https://bliptext.com/articles/teva-pharmaceuticals) (manufacturer of pharmaceuticals) and [Fresenius Kabi](https://bliptext.com/articles/fresenius-company) (manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical products).\nDrinks manufacturer, [Diageo](https://bliptext.com/articles/diageo), has maintained a packaging plant at Runcorn since 1970 which packages [Guinness](https://bliptext.com/articles/guinness), [Pimm's](https://bliptext.com/articles/pimm-s), [Kilkenny](https://bliptext.com/articles/kilkenny-beer) and [Smirnoff](https://bliptext.com/articles/smirnoff) Ice for distribution in Great Britain.\n[Sci-Tech Daresbury](https://bliptext.com/articles/sci-tech-daresbury) is a National Science and Innovation Campus to the south east of Runcorn.\nThe campus offers lab space, offices and workshops to rent.\nIt is home to the largest supercomputer in Europe and the Virtual Engineering Centre which works with [Bentley](https://bliptext.com/articles/bentley) motor cars, [BAE Systems](https://bliptext.com/articles/bae-systems) and [Jaguar Land Rover](https://bliptext.com/articles/jaguar-land-rover).\nThe site also houses [Daresbury Laboratory](https://bliptext.com/articles/daresbury-laboratory) which employs over 300 staff specialising in accelerator science, bio-medicine, physics, chemistry, materials, engineering and computational science.\n# [Chemical works at Weston Point, Runcorn | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Chemical///Works///Weston///Point.jpg]\n\n## Logistics\nRuncorn's position between Liverpool and Manchester airports and its links to the rail, motorway and canal networks have made it a centre for logistics.\nThere are two ports in the west of the town on the Manchester Ship Canal.\n[Runcorn Docks](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-docks) is owned by the Manchester Ship Canal Company, which is part of the [Peel Ports Group](https://bliptext.com/articles/peel-group).\n[Weston Point Docks](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-point-docks) is operated by FLX Logistics.\nThere are several large logistics depots across Runcorn, including Eddie Stobart Group's road haulage site and driver training school in Manor Park, the Downton haulage depot at the Whitehouse Industrial Estate, and an NHS Supply Chain Depot in Astmoor Industrial Estate.\n# [Tanker at Runcorn Docks | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/RuncornTanker.jpg]\n\n## Services\nThere has been a shift in employment from manufacturing to service industries.\nIn 1991, 34% worked in the manufacturing sector and 61% were in the service sector.\nBy 2004, 17% were in manufacturing jobs and 78% were in service jobs.\nThis trend in the local region is demonstrated in this chart which shows the regional \"gross value added\" of Halton and Warrington at current basic prices, with figures in millions of pounds.\n

includes hunting and forestry

includes energy and construction

includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured

Components may not sum to totals due to rounding

\n\nRuncorn has two shopping centres.\nThe original shopping area was in the older part of the town on High Street, Regent Street and Church Street.\nThis centre continues to exist, but with the coming of the new town, has declined.\nIn the centre of the new town, [Runcorn Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city) is an enclosed [shopping mall](https://bliptext.com/articles/shopping-mall) with two attached bus stations.\nAdjacent to it is Trident Retail Park containing shopping outlets and a cinema and nearby is a large [Asda](https://bliptext.com/articles/asda) [superstore](https://bliptext.com/articles/superstore) that opened in 1989.\n\n# Transport\nThe Runcorn New Town Masterplan created three distinct types of road: busways, expressways and local roads.\nIn addition, there is a network of dedicated [cycleways](https://bliptext.com/articles/segregated-cycle-facilities) in the town.\nThe [Runcorn Busway](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-busway) was the world's first [bus rapid transit](https://bliptext.com/articles/bus-rapid-transit) system in 1971.\nFirst conceived in the Runcorn New Town Masterplan in 1966, it opened for services in October 1971 and all 22 km were operational by 1980.\nIt is a road network for use by buses only and, unlike guided busways or bus lanes, it is a totally separate road system, not running alongside (or down the middle of) existing roads.\nIt was designed so that most residents would be no more than five minutes walking distance, or 500 yard, from a bus stop.\nThe central station is at Runcorn Shopping City where buses arrive on dedicated raised busways to two enclosed stations.\nProfessor Arthur Ling, Runcorn Development Corporation's Master Planner, claimed to have invented the concept while sketching on the back of an envelope.\nBus services are provided by [Arriva North West](https://bliptext.com/articles/arriva-north-west), Anthony's Travel, MP Travel, Warrington's Own Buses, Ashcroft Travel, Halton Community Transport and Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire.\nTwo coach companies operate from the town; [Selwyns Travel](https://bliptext.com/articles/selwyns-travel), and Anthony's Travel.\nThe expressways form a ring road around the town in a figure of eight and are intended to keep all through traffic off the local roads.\nThis system links north to [Widnes](https://bliptext.com/articles/widnes) and [Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool) by the A533 over the [Mersey Gateway](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-gateway) bridge, east to [Warrington](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington) by the [A56](https://bliptext.com/articles/a56-road), south to [Northwich](https://bliptext.com/articles/northwich) and north Cheshire by the A533, and west by the A557 to the [M56](https://bliptext.com/articles/m56-motorway) and to [Frodsham](https://bliptext.com/articles/frodsham).\nThe M56 links to the [M6](https://bliptext.com/articles/m6-motorway) and, to the north of Widnes, the A557 links to the [M6](https://bliptext.com/articles/m6-motorway)2.\nThere are two railway stations.\n[Runcorn](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-station), located in the old town, is on the Liverpool branch of the [West Coast Main Line](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-coast-main-line), and is managed by [Avanti West Coast](https://bliptext.com/articles/avanti-west-coast), which provides services between [Liverpool Lime Street](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-lime-street-railway-station) and [London Euston](https://bliptext.com/articles/euston-railway-station).\n[West Midlands Trains](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-midlands-trains) run a service between Liverpool and Birmingham New Street that calls at the station.\n[Runcorn East station](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-east-railway-station), located in the Murdishaw district of the new town, is managed by [Transport for Wales](https://bliptext.com/articles/transport-for-wales-rail), and provides services to [Warrington](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-bank-quay-railway-station), [Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-piccadilly-railway-station), [Chester](https://bliptext.com/articles/chester-railway-station) and [North Wales](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-wales).\nRuncorn is 8 mi from [Liverpool John Lennon Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-john-lennon-airport) and 22 mi from [Manchester Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-airport).\n# [Runcorn Railway Bridge (left) and the Silver Jubilee Bridge (right) | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Runcorn///Bridges.jpg]\n\n# Landmarks\nThere are two Grade I [listed buildings](https://bliptext.com/articles/listed-building) and [scheduled monuments](https://bliptext.com/articles/scheduled-monuments) in Runcorn: [Halton Castle](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-castle) and [Norton Priory](https://bliptext.com/articles/norton-priory).\nHalton Castle is one of two remaining Norman castles in Cheshire, built in 1071 and reconstructed in local sandstone in the 13th century.\nThe castle was [slighted](https://bliptext.com/articles/slighting) following the Civil War and the gatehouse converted to a courthouse in 1737, now [The Castle](https://bliptext.com/articles/castle-hotel-halton) public house and a Grade II* listed building in its own right.\nNorton Priory, now a museum, is the most excavated monastic site in Europe, consisting of the ruins of an Abbey, 12th century undercroft and 18th century Walled Garden.\nBoth Norton Priory and Halton Castle are managed by Norton Priory Museum Trust Limited.\nMost Grade II* listed buildings in the town are around the base of Halton Castle, including [Seneschal's House](https://bliptext.com/articles/seneschal-s-house) (1598), [Halton Old Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-old-hall) (1693), [Chesshyre Library](https://bliptext.com/articles/chesshyre-library) (1730) and [Halton Vicarage](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-vicarage) (1739).\n[Hallwood](https://bliptext.com/articles/hallwood-cheshire) (1710), a former mansion house, is also Grade II* listed and its former stable block is Grade II.\nBut both have been derelict since the Tricorn public house closed in 2017.\nThe town's 19th century Anglican churches are also listed buildings, including the Grade II* [All Saints](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-saints-church-runcorn) (1849) and [St John's](https://bliptext.com/articles/st-john-the-evangelist-s-church-weston) (1897), and the Grade II [Holy Trinity](https://bliptext.com/articles/holy-trinity-church-runcorn) (1838), [Christ Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/christ-church-weston-point) (1841) and [St Mary's](https://bliptext.com/articles/st-mary-s-church-halton) (1851).\nThe Runcorn home of the Duke of Bridgewater, [Bridgewater House](https://bliptext.com/articles/bridgewater-house-runcorn), is a prominent landmark and Grade II listed building on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal where a flight of locks from his canal once stood.\nThe home of a later industrialist, Thomas Johnson, became [Runcorn Town Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-town-hall), a Grade II listed Italianate building with similarities to [Osborne House](https://bliptext.com/articles/osborne-house) on the Isle of Wight.\nThe landmarks largest in scale are the three bridges which span the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal at Runcorn.\n[Runcorn Railway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-bridge) and the [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge) are Grade II* and II listed buildings respectively while the [Mersey Gateway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-gateway-bridge) was officially opened in 2018 by [Queen Elizabeth II](https://bliptext.com/articles/queen-elizabeth-ii) and the [Duchess of Sussex](https://bliptext.com/articles/meghan-duchess-of-sussex).\n[Norton Water Tower](https://bliptext.com/articles/norton-water-tower) is another prominent Grade II listed landmark at 112 ft high.\n[Runcorn War Memorial](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-war-memorial) is Grade II listed and commemorates those who died in the [First](https://bliptext.com/articles/first-world-war) and [Second World Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/second-world-war), as well as those killed in later conflicts.\nThe garden contains a statue of [Thomas Alfred Jones](https://bliptext.com/articles/thomas-alfred-jones) who was awarded the [Victoria Cross](https://bliptext.com/articles/victoria-cross) in the First World War.\nThere is a memorial in Halton Village commemorating residents who served in the [Boer War](https://bliptext.com/articles/second-boer-war).\n[Runcorn Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city), at the heart of the New Town, was designed by [Fred Roche CBE](https://bliptext.com/articles/fred-roche) and at the time of its construction was the largest covered shopping centre in Europe.\nIt was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.\n# [Halton Castle overlooking the Mersey Gateway Bridge | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/The///ruins///of///Halton///Castle///looking///towards///the///Mersey///Gateway///in///Runcorn%2C///Cheshire%2C///England.jpg]\n\n# Culture\n\n## Theatre and cinema\n[The Brindley](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-brindley) is a theatre and arts centre which opened in 2004.\nIt is situated in the old town and named after [James Brindley](https://bliptext.com/articles/james-brindley), engineer of the adjacent Bridgewater Canal.\nIt contains a [proscenium](https://bliptext.com/articles/proscenium) theatre seating 420 and a multi-purpose theatre seating 108, The Studio, which doubles as a cinema.\nThere is an exhibition space for art installations, a small café and multi-purpose rooms.\nThe centre is owned and administered by Halton Borough Council which runs community events in the building.\nIn 2007, it won the title of 'Best Arts Project in the UK' at the National Lottery Awards.\nA [multiplex cinema](https://bliptext.com/articles/multiplex-movie-theater) was run by [Cineworld](https://bliptext.com/articles/cineworld) at Trident Retail Park until its closure on 26th November 2023.\n# [The Brindley Theatre in 2006 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Brindley///Arts///Centre%2C///Runcorn.jpg]\n\n## Media\nRuncorn is served by two weekly newspapers: the Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News, published by Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales and hosted online by the [Liverpool Echo](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-echo), and the Runcorn and Widnes World, published by [Newsquest](https://bliptext.com/articles/newsquest).\nThe town is also home to Halton Community Radio, a volunteer-run radio station which broadcasts over the Runcorn and Widnes area on the frequency 92.3FM.\nIt was launched on 8 August 2008 with a five-year licence to broadcast.\nThe BBC situation comedy [Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps](https://bliptext.com/articles/two-pints-of-lager-and-a-packet-of-crisps) was set in Runcorn and included external shots of the former Waterloo Hotel (known in the programme as The Archer), the Silver Jubilee Bridge and Halton Castle.\n[Drop Dead Gorgeous](https://bliptext.com/articles/drop-dead-gorgeous-tv-series), a drama on [BBC Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/bbc-three), was also set in Runcorn.\nThe first two series of the BBC police drama [Merseybeat](https://bliptext.com/articles/merseybeat-tv-series) featured sequences of the town and areas of Runcorn old town featured in [The Five](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-five-tv-series) TV crime drama series on Sky1.\nNorton Priory has been used as a location in historical dramas, sitcoms and children's programmes, including [Little Birds](https://bliptext.com/articles/little-birds-tv-series), Bone Detectives (Channel 4), [Island at War](https://bliptext.com/articles/island-at-war), [Casanova](https://bliptext.com/articles/casanova-2005-tv-serial) and [Young Dracula](https://bliptext.com/articles/young-dracula).\nThe Silver Jubilee Bridge featured in the Netflix series, [Stay Close](https://bliptext.com/articles/stay-close).\nRuncorn was a setting in the Netflix series, [The Last Kingdom](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-last-kingdom-tv-series), although no scenes were filmed in the town.\n# [The former Waterloo Hotel, setting of The Archer in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, now a Buddhist temple | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Waterloo///Hotel%2C///Runcorn.jpg]\n\n## Literature\nThe Runcorn Ferry is a [monologue](https://bliptext.com/articles/monologue) written by [Marriott Edgar](https://bliptext.com/articles/marriott-edgar) and popularised by [Stanley Holloway](https://bliptext.com/articles/stanley-holloway) celebrating the ancient river crossing which existed from the 12th century until the construction of the Transporter Bridge in 1905.\nIt includes the lines:\nPer tuppence per person per trip ...\nPer trip or per part of per trip.\n\n# Community facilities\nThe main library is at [Runcorn Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city) with a branch library in the old town centre.\nA Council 'one stop shop' called Halton Direct Link is based next to the main library.\nOpen areas in Runcorn form part of [Mersey Forest](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-forest), one of Britain's [community forests](https://bliptext.com/articles/community-forests-in-england).\nIn addition to smaller local parks and allotments, there are four large parks in Runcorn:\nThere are three privately run swimming pools at Beechwood Community Centre, INARA club and Holiday Inn Runcorn.\nThe local authority runs two leisure centres and swimming pools at Runcorn Swimming Pool and Brookvale Recreation Centre in addition to outdoor sporting facilities in its parks.\nRuncorn's hospital is [Halton General Hospital](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-general-hospital), which is administered by the [Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-and-halton-teaching-hospitals-nhs-foundation-trust).\nIt has an Urgent Care Centre but acute medical services are provided by [Warrington Hospital](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-hospital).\nThe Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre, a purpose-built hospital for orthopaedic surgery, is on the same site.\nHalton Haven Hospice is in the Murdishaw area of the town.\nThe body responsible for planning health services in Runcorn, including [primary care](https://bliptext.com/articles/primary-care), is the Halton Clinical Commissioning Group.\n[Cheshire Constabulary](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire-constabulary) operate a police station adjacent to Runcorn Shopping City in the centre of the New Town and [Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire-fire-and-rescue-service) maintains a 24-hour fire station.\n# [Halton Lea Library | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Halton///Lea///Library///at///Runcorn///Shopping///City.jpg]\n# [Halton Miniature Railway | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Halton///Miniature///Railway///-///geograph.org.uk///-///449256.jpg]\n\n# Sports\n\n## Football\nThe town has two senior football teams – [Runcorn Linnets FC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-linnets) and [Runcorn Town FC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-town).\nIt also has a Sunday League and a Junior League, and an Open Age Women's Team, Runcorn Ladies FC.\nRuncorn Ladies FC were established in January 2012, and played in the Liverpool Open Age Women's Division, finishing in an impressive 7th position in their very first season.\nThe chairman and coaching team decided to agree a merge with Runcorn Linnets, 2 years later, and thus Runcorn Linnets Ladies were formed.\nRuncorn Linnets were formed as a trust-based team in 2006 from the now defunct [Runcorn F.C. Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-f-c-halton).\nIt has existed in various guises since 1918, and its performance peaked in 1982 when it won the [Alliance Premier League](https://bliptext.com/articles/alliance-premier-league), then the highest division below the [Football League](https://bliptext.com/articles/football-league).\nRuncorn Town was formed in 1970 as Mond Rangers FC with the club changing their name in 2005 in order to \"try and bring a more professional look to the club in general, and increase support from both businesses and individuals in the local community.\"\nAfter finishing in third place in the [West Cheshire League](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-cheshire-league) at the end of the 2009/10 season, the club were elected to join the [North West Counties League](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-west-counties-football-league) at their AGM, the highest level that they have ever played at.\n\n## Rugby\nIn the late 19th century, before the [1895 schism](https://bliptext.com/articles/history-of-rugby-league), [rugby union](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-union) was played at the now defunct [Runcorn RFC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rfc).\nWhen the [rugby football](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-football) schism occurred in 1895, Runcorn became founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union (now [Rugby Football League](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-football-league)).\nRuncorn finished bottom of the league in the [1914–15 season](https://bliptext.com/articles/1914-15-northern-rugby-football-union-season) and did not recommence playing in the aftermath of the First World War.\nRugby league in the town is now represented by [Runcorn RLC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rlc).\n\n## Other sports\nRuncorn Sports Club in Higher Runcorn hosts several clubs, including Runcorn Cricket Club, Hockey Club, Running Club and Subscription Bowling Club.\n[Runcorn Rowing Club](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rowing-club) is sited on the River Weaver Navigation near Clifton Village and also houses Runcorn Canoe Club.\nWeston Angling Club Runcorn is a private fishing club which owns Sandymoor Pool in the east of the town.\nThere is an 18-hole golf course at Runcorn Golf Club in Clifton Road.\nNearby is Heath Tennis Club which uses facilities at the Heath School.\nRuncorn Ski Centre in Town Park consists of three dry ski slopes: an 85-metre main slope, a 45-metre extended nursery slope, and a 25-metre nursery slope.\nThe centre runs both skiing and snowboarding lessons.\nRuncorn had a [professional wrestling school](https://bliptext.com/articles/professional-wrestling-school) and promotion called the Runcorn Wrestling Academy (RWA) from 2005 until 2020, when it closed following allegations of sexual harassment during the [Speaking Out movement](https://bliptext.com/articles/speaking-out-movement).\n\n# Notable people\n\n## Arts and entertainment\n# [Sir Hall Caine.\nBorn 1853 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Portrait///of///Hall///Caine.jpg]\n# [Nicola Roberts, 2009 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/GirlsAloudOOCLive///Nicola.jpg]\n\n## Business, industry and science\n# [Hamilton Castner, 1890s | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Hamilton///Castner///1890s.jpg]\n\n## Military, politics and law\n\n## Religion\n# [Thomas Hazlehurst, chapel builder | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Thomas///Hazlehurst.jpg]\n\n## Sports\n# [Harry Speakman, 1888 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Harry///Speakman.png]","current_revision":null,"created_by":"kACnuQmH5k9Nr5VNVEpVeg7XpvUmMctD","created_at":"2025-01-25T18:42:24.076Z","updated_at":"2025-01-25T18:42:24.076Z","search_vector":"'runcorn':1","search_content":" \n**Country:** England \n**Static Image Name:** Silver Jubilee Bridge, Runcorn at night (geograph 4431283).jpg \n**Static Image Caption:** Runcorn's [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge) \n**Static Image Width:** 280px \n**Static Image 2 Name:** Coat of Arms of Runcorn.svg \n**Static Image 2 Caption:** Coat of arms \n**Static Image 2 Width:** 100px \n**Official Name:** Runcorn \n**Type:** Town \n**Coordinates:** 53.3417°N, -2.7313°W \n**London Distance:** 167 mi \n**London Direction:** SE \n**Population:** 62,100 \n**Population Ref:** ([2021](https://bliptext.com/articles/2021-united-kingdom-census)) \n**Population Demonym:** Runcornian \n**Unitary England:** [Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/borough-of-halton) \n**Region:** North West England \n**Lieutenancy England:** [Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire) \n**Constituency Westminster:** [Runcorn and Helsby](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-and-helsby-uk-parliament-constituency) \n**Post Town:** RUNCORN \n**Postcode Area:** WA \n**Postcode District:** WA7 \n**Dial Code:** 01928 \n**Os Grid Reference:** SJ 5140 8300 \n \n\n# \n**Runcorn** is an industrial town and [cargo port](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-docks) in the [Borough of Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/borough-of-halton), [Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire), England.\nIts population in 2021 was 62,100.\nRuncorn is on the southern bank of the [River Mersey](https://bliptext.com/articles/river-mersey), where the estuary narrows to form the [Runcorn Gap](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-gap).\nIt lies on the southern shore of the River Mersey 15 miles (24 km) upstream from the port of Liverpool.\nRuncorn was founded by [Æthelflæd of Mercia](https://bliptext.com/articles/thelfl-d) in 915 AD as a fortification to guard against Viking invasion at a narrowing of the River Mersey.\nUnder Norman rule, Runcorn fell under the [Barony of Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-barony) and an Augustinian abbey was established here in 1115.\nIt remained a small, isolated settlement until the [Industrial Revolution](https://bliptext.com/articles/industrial-revolution) when the extension of the [Bridgewater Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/bridgewater-canal) to Runcorn in 1776 established it as a [port](https://bliptext.com/articles/port-of-runcorn) which would link [Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool) with inland [Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester) and Staffordshire.\nThe docks enabled the growth of industry, initially shipwrights and sandstone quarries.\nIn the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it was a spa and health resort but this ended with the growth of polluting industries, especially soap and chemical works.\nIn 1964, Runcorn was designated a [new town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-towns-in-the-united-kingdom) and expanded eastward, swallowing neighbouring settlements and more than doubling its population.\nThree bridges span the River Mersey and the [Manchester Ship Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-ship-canal) at Runcorn: the [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge), [Mersey Gateway](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-gateway), and [Runcorn Railway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-bridge).\nIts location between Liverpool and Manchester and its links to the rail, motorway and canal networks have made it a centre for manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale and retail.\nThe town's motto is Navem Mercibus Implere (Latin for \"fill the ship with goods\"), a classical quotation from [Juvenal](https://bliptext.com/articles/juvenal).\n\n# History\n\n## Early history\nThe earliest written reference to the town is in the [Anglo-Saxon Chronicle](https://bliptext.com/articles/anglo-saxon-chronicle), where it is spelled \"Rumcofan\", literally meaning \"a wide cove or bay\".\nThis word is derived from the [Old English](https://bliptext.com/articles/old-english-language) words \"rúm\" (\"wide\" or \"broad\") and \"cofa\" (\"cave\" or \"cove\").\nOther historical spellings of Runcorn include \"Rumcoven\", \"Ronchestorn\", \"Runckhorne\", and \"Runcorne\".\nLittle is known about the early history of the settlement but isolated findings of objects from the [Stone](https://bliptext.com/articles/stone-age), [Bronze](https://bliptext.com/articles/bronze-age), and [Iron Ages](https://bliptext.com/articles/iron-age) have been made and there is evidence of a [Roman](https://bliptext.com/articles/roman-empire) presence in the area.\nThe first recorded event in its history is the building by [Æthelflæd](https://bliptext.com/articles/thelfl-d) of a fortification at Runcorn to protect the northern frontier of her kingdom of [Mercia](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercia) against the [Vikings](https://bliptext.com/articles/viking) in 915.\nThe fort was built on Castle Rock overlooking the River Mersey at Runcorn Gap.\n\n## Medieval\nFollowing the [Norman conquest](https://bliptext.com/articles/norman-conquest), Runcorn was not mentioned in the 1086 [Domesday](https://bliptext.com/articles/domesday-book) survey, although surrounding settlements were.\n[William the Conqueror](https://bliptext.com/articles/william-i-of-england) granted the [earldom of Chester](https://bliptext.com/articles/earl-of-chester) to [Hugh d'Avranches](https://bliptext.com/articles/hugh-d-avranches-1st-earl-of-chester) who granted the barony of Halton to Nigel.\nIt is likely that Nigel erected a [motte and bailey](https://bliptext.com/articles/motte-and-bailey) castle on Halton Hill in the 1070s.\nIn 1115, Nigel's son, William Fitznigel, founded an [Augustinian](https://bliptext.com/articles/augustinians) [Priory](https://bliptext.com/articles/priory) at [Runcorn](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-priory).\nIn 1134, the priory was moved to Norton, about 3.5 mi away.\nIn 1391, the priory was raised to the higher status of [abbey](https://bliptext.com/articles/abbey).\nIn 1536, the [monastery was dissolved](https://bliptext.com/articles/dissolution-of-the-monasteries), and around nine years later, the buildings and some of the monastic lands were sold to Sir [Richard Brooke](https://bliptext.com/articles/richard-brooke-norton) who converted the habitable part of the abbey into a house.\nIn 1565, [Rocksavage](https://bliptext.com/articles/rocksavage), an Elizabethan Hall, was constructed for Sir John Savage in Clifton, now part of Runcorn.\n# [Arms of the Baron of Halton | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Arms///of///Baron///of///Haulton///02755.jpg]\n\n## English Civil War\nDuring the [Civil War](https://bliptext.com/articles/english-civil-war), [Halton Castle](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-castle) was held for the [Royalists](https://bliptext.com/articles/cavaliers) by John Savage, 2nd [Earl Rivers](https://bliptext.com/articles/earl-rivers), the Steward of Halton.\nIt fell twice to Parliamentarian [Roundheads](https://bliptext.com/articles/roundheads).\nThe first siege was led by [Sir William Brereton](https://bliptext.com/articles/sir-william-brereton-1st-baronet) in 1643; the second was during the following year.\nFollowing this, a \"Council of War\" was held in Warrington in 1646 at which it was decided that the castle should be [slighted](https://bliptext.com/articles/slighting).\nIn 1656, Runcorn was described as being \"nothing but a fair parish church, a parsonage and a few scattered tenements\".\nAnd so it remained for over a century, an isolated and poor hamlet.\nThe only through traffic used the ferry which crossed from Runcorn to the north bank of the River Mersey.\n# [An engraving of the slighted Halton Castle in the 18th century | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Halton///Castle///engraving.jpg]\n\n## Industrialisation\nDuring the 18th century, water transport had been improved in the area by the [Mersey and Irwell Navigation](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-and-irwell-navigation), the [Bridgewater Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/bridgewater-canal) and the [Trent and Mersey Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/trent-and-mersey-canal).\nThis gave Runcorn waterway connections with most of the interior of England through the canal system and with the sea along the River Mersey, thus forming the basis for the development of the Port of Runcorn.\nLater came the [Runcorn to Latchford Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-to-latchford-canal) linking with the Mersey and Irwell Navigation, and the Weston Canal which gave better access to the [Weaver Navigation](https://bliptext.com/articles/river-weaver) system.\nIndustries began to develop within and around the town, in particular shipbuilding, engineering, chemical manufacturing, tanning, and [sandstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/sandstone) quarrying.\nTowards the end of the 18th century and in the early years of the 19th century, the town was a health resort.\nThe growth of industry did not diminish Runcorn's late 18th and early 19th century reputation as a health resort and the \"Montpelier of England\".\nIn 1822 the town's first Saltwater Baths opened followed by new visitor accommodation in Belvedere Terrace in 1831.\nIn the middle of the century, the growing wealth of the town and its industrialists saw the construction of several new landmarks, including [Halton Grange](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-town-hall), St Paul's Methodist Chapel and [All Saints' Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-saints-church-runcorn).\nFor hundreds of years, the only means of crossing the River Mersey at this point had been by the Runcorn ferry.\n[Thomas Telford](https://bliptext.com/articles/thomas-telford) proposed a 1000 ft single span suspension bridge as early as 1817, but it was not until 1868 that the first bridge, [Runcorn Railway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-bridge), was opened across the Mersey at Runcorn.\nThis gave the town direct rail links with [Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool) and the rest of the country.\nRuncorn was becoming an industrialised and highly polluted town.\nDuring the later 19th century the town became increasingly dominated by the chemical and tanning industries.\nIn the 1880s a pipeline was opened between [Northwich](https://bliptext.com/articles/northwich) and Weston Point, supplying brine to the salt works and in 1896 the Castner Kellner chemical works was established.\nIn 1894 the [Manchester Ship Canal](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-ship-canal) was opened throughout its length.\nThis allowed ocean-going ships to travel inland as far as [Salford](https://bliptext.com/articles/salford-greater-manchester), some of them calling at the port of Runcorn.\nThe rise in population between 1881 and 1891 and the drop by 1901 is explained by the number of people involved in constructing the ship canal.\nIn 1905, the [Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/widnes-runcorn-transporter-bridge) opened, giving a direct link for vehicular traffic for the first time between the two towns.\nThis would not be replaced until 1961 with the construction of Runcorn Road Bridge (since renamed the [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge)) which allowed a more efficient means of road traffic across Runcorn Gap.\nDuring the first half of the 20th century, the industry of the town continued to be dominated by chemicals and tanning.\nThis growth was largely due to government fixed-priced cost contracts for tanned hides.\nIn 1926, four chemical companies merged to form [Imperial Chemical Industries](https://bliptext.com/articles/imperial-chemical-industries) (ICI).\nDuring the second half of the 20th century, the tanneries closed (the last to close was the Highfield Tannery in the late 1960s) and the chemical industry declined.\nAt the same time, light industry developed together with warehouses and distribution centres.\n# [Painting entitled Runcorn Gap by Henry Mark Anthony depicting the Bridgewater Docks and Runcorn Railway Bridge under construction | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Henry///Mark///Anthony///-///Runcorn///Gap.jpg]\n# [St Paul's Methodist Chapel, since demolished | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/St///Paul%27s///%28drawing%29.jpg]\n\n## Second World War\nIn 1937, [ICI](https://bliptext.com/articles/imperial-chemical-industries) began to build a new factory for [mustard gas](https://bliptext.com/articles/mustard-gas) production at their Randle plant on [Wigg Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/wigg-island).\nThe ICI chemical plants at Runcorn featured in the Gestapo [Black Book](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-black-book-list) as a company of special interest but although the works at Weston Point were discussed at [Luftwaffe](https://bliptext.com/articles/luftwaffe) briefings in 1940, the town was never deliberately targeted and was subject only to very limited bombing.\n# [A Second World War pillbox fortification near the Rocksavage works. | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Type///24///pillbox///in///Runcorn.jpg]\n\n## New Town development\nIn September 1963, the [Ministry of Housing and Local Government](https://bliptext.com/articles/ministry-of-housing-and-local-government) published a draft of the Runcorn New Town (Designation) Order which would allocate 7750 acre in and around Runcorn for development of a new town under the [New Towns Act 1946](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-towns-act-1946).\nThe ministry cited the urgent need for more housing to reduce overcrowding in Liverpool and to increase the rate of [slum clearance](https://bliptext.com/articles/slum-clearance-in-the-united-kingdom) there.\nRuncorn was chosen because of its strong road, rail and canal connections, ample water supply, convenient location on the Mersey Estuary for the disposal of effluent, established industry and the availability of land for more.\nFollowing objections to the draft order, a [public Local Inquiry](https://bliptext.com/articles/public-inquiry) was held at Runcorn from 10 to 12 December 1963.\nThe subsequent report accepted the location in principle and the proposed population of 90,000.\nIt did, however, recommend that 500 acre around the village of [Sutton Weaver](https://bliptext.com/articles/sutton-weaver) to the south of the [Chester–Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/chester-to-manchester-line) and [Crewe–Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/crewe-liverpool-line) railway lines be excluded from the designated area, partly to preserve its highly productive agricultural land.\nThe minister, [Keith Joseph](https://bliptext.com/articles/keith-joseph), accepted the report's recommendations and the designation order was made on 10 April 1964.\nThe new town masterplan of 1967 more than doubled the population as it encompassed neighbouring settlements and created new housing estates to the south and east.\nThe key features of the new town were its unique housing and estate designs, segregated pedestrian pathways, [Busway](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-busway), extensive landscaped green space, separate industrial areas and new town centre.\nThe new town centre was designated at the geographical heart of the expanded town with [Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city), an American style enclosed mall, as its focus.\nThis was a source of conflict between [Arthur Ling](https://bliptext.com/articles/arthur-ling), the new town Master Planner, and [Fred Roche](https://bliptext.com/articles/fred-roche), Chief Architect.\nWhereas Ling envisaged a centre reminiscent of a citadel or acropolis at the base of Halton Castle, Roche preferred to expand the existing town centre, partly to placate the Urban District Council and existing traders.\nThe new Halton site was favoured and Shopping City opened in 1972.\nHowever, the Urban District Council secured a commitment from the Development Corporation to continue a programme of regeneration which the council had already begun.\nIn 1971, the Development Corporation published Master Plan Amendment No.1 which focused on the urban renewal of the Old Town centre, now designated a smaller 'district centre'.\nThe plan sought to increase public open space,\nreduce shopping provision, rationalise roads and renew housing stock.\nIt also included plans to widen the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge from two to four lanes and create a new system of junctions between the bridge and the expressway.\nThe masterplan was amended for the second and final time in 1975.\nAmendment No.2 extended the expressway further to the east and redesignated land at Sandymoor intended for industrial use to residential.\nThe Runcorn Development Corporation merged with Warrington Development Corporation on 1 April 1981 and was wound up on 30 September 1989.\nMuch of the architecture of the new town was innovative, especially the [Southgate development](https://bliptext.com/articles/southgate-estate) designed by [Sir James Stirling](https://bliptext.com/articles/james-stirling-architect) and built between 1970 and 1977.\nStirling's housing development was beset with problems and it was demolished in the early 1990s.\nIn 2002, the Castlefields Partnership (made up of [English Partnerships](https://bliptext.com/articles/english-partnerships) and Halton Borough Council) was created to comprehensively redevelop the Castlefields estate, including the demolition of over 700 deck access flats.\n# [The ill-fated Southgate Estate in Runcorn New Town | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Southgate///Estate%2C///Runcorn%2C///August///1989%2C///2.jpg]\n\n# Governance\n\n## Local government\nRuncorn is [unparished](https://bliptext.com/articles/unparished-area) with the exception of [Sandymoor](https://bliptext.com/articles/sandymoor), and a large part of the Whitehouse Industrial Estate which falls under [Preston Brook](https://bliptext.com/articles/preston-brook) Parish Council.\nThe local authority is [Halton Borough Council](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-borough-council) for which the town is divided into nine [electoral wards](https://bliptext.com/articles/wards-and-electoral-divisions-of-the-united-kingdom), each electing three councillors.\nAt the time of the [Domesday](https://bliptext.com/articles/domesday-book) survey, Runcorn was in the [hundred](https://bliptext.com/articles/hundred-country-subdivision) of Tunendune, but later, and until the early 19th century, Runcorn was part of the Bucklow [hundred](https://bliptext.com/articles/hundred-country-subdivision).\nUnder the Runcorn Improvement Act 1852, a board of [Improvement Commissioners](https://bliptext.com/articles/improvement-commissioners) was established to administer the civil government of the town.\nBy the [Local Government Act 1894](https://bliptext.com/articles/local-government-act-1894), the administration of the town and the surrounding areas was divided into [Runcorn Urban District](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-urban-district) and [Runcorn Rural District](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rural-district).\nInitially the urban district consisted of only the built-up area of Runcorn itself.\nBy 1937, this area had been extended to include the communities of [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-halton) and [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-halton) Point to the south.\nIn 1964, Runcorn was designated as a [New Town](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-towns-in-the-united-kingdom) and greatly expanded so that by 1971 it had grown to incorporate the village of Halton.\nRuncorn Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the [Local Government Act 1972](https://bliptext.com/articles/local-government-act-1972) when it merged with the [Municipal Borough of Widnes](https://bliptext.com/articles/municipal-borough-of-widnes) and parts of [Runcorn Rural District](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rural-district) and [Whiston Rural District](https://bliptext.com/articles/whiston-rural-district) to form the [Borough of Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/borough-of-halton) under Halton Borough Council and [Cheshire County Council](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire-county-council).\nIn 1998, Halton Borough Council became a [unitary authority](https://bliptext.com/articles/unitary-authority) within the ceremonial county of Cheshire.\nIn April 2014, Halton Borough Council joined five other local authorities in [Merseyside](https://bliptext.com/articles/merseyside) to form the [Liverpool City Region](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-city-region).\n# [Runcorn Town Hall, formerly Halton Grange | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Runcorn///Town///Hall.jpg]\n\n## Westminster representation\nRuncorn is in the [Runcorn and Helsby constituency](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-and-helsby-uk-parliament-constituency) for representation in the [House of Commons](https://bliptext.com/articles/house-of-commons-of-the-united-kingdom).\nThe seat has been held by [Mike Amesbury](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-amesbury) of the [Labour Party](https://bliptext.com/articles/labour-party-uk) since its creation for the [2024 general election](https://bliptext.com/articles/2024-united-kingdom-general-election).\nFrom 1997 to 2024, Runcorn was split between the two constituencies of [Weaver Vale](https://bliptext.com/articles/weaver-vale-uk-parliament-constituency) and [Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-uk-parliament-constituency).\nPrior to their abolition, those seats were held by Mike Amesbury and [Derek Twigg](https://bliptext.com/articles/derek-twigg) respectively, both of the [Labour Party](https://bliptext.com/articles/labour-party-uk).\nWhile Halton was a [safe](https://bliptext.com/articles/safe-seat) Labour seat since its creation in 1983, Weaver Vale was a [marginal seat](https://bliptext.com/articles/marginal-seat) and switched between the Labour and [Conservative](https://bliptext.com/articles/conservative-party-uk) parties several times since its creation in 1997.\nBefore the [Reform Act 1832](https://bliptext.com/articles/reform-act-1832), Runcorn was in the [constituency](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-kingdom-constituencies) of Cheshire which was represented by two [Members of Parliament](https://bliptext.com/articles/member-of-parliament-united-kingdom).\nFollowing the Reform Act, the town was placed in the [North Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-cheshire-uk-parliament-constituency) constituency and from 1868 in the [Mid Cheshire](https://bliptext.com/articles/mid-cheshire-uk-parliament-constituency) constituency.\nFrom 1885 to 1950 the town was in the constituency of [Northwich](https://bliptext.com/articles/northwich-uk-parliament-constituency).\nThe [constituency of Runcorn](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-uk-parliament-constituency) was created by a 1948 [Act of Parliament](https://bliptext.com/articles/act-of-parliament) and [Dennis Vosper](https://bliptext.com/articles/dennis-vosper-baron-runcorn) was the first to be elected to the seat in 1950.\nIn 1964, he was succeeded by [Mark Carlisle](https://bliptext.com/articles/mark-carlisle) who held the seat until the constituency of Runcorn was abolished in 1983 and split between the constituencies of Halton and [Warrington South](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-south-uk-parliament-constituency).\n\n# Geography\n\n## Topography\nRuncorn is situated on a spur projecting into the River Mersey, which flows to the north and then to the west of the town.\nOn the north bank of the river is another spur forming the West Bank area of Widnes; together these form Runcorn Gap, a narrowing of the River Mersey.\nThe town is bounded to the southwest by the [Weaver Navigation](https://bliptext.com/articles/weaver-navigation); to the south by the [Chester–Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/chester-to-manchester-line) and [Crewe–Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/crewe-liverpool-line) railway lines; and to the east by the [West Coast Main Line](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-coast-main-line) until the village of [Moore](https://bliptext.com/articles/moore-cheshire).\nA series of valleys is formed by high points at Runcorn Hill (75m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)), Halton Castle (75m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)), Windmill Hill (70m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)) and Keckwick Hill (75m [AOD](https://bliptext.com/articles/ordnance-datum)).\nRuncorn Gap is crossed by three bridges: Runcorn Railway Bridge (which carries the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Main Line), the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the Mersey Gateway which carries the [A533](https://bliptext.com/articles/a533-road).\nA system of dual carriageways called 'expressways' form a figure of 8 around the town.\nThe Central Expressway runs through the centre of the town in a north–south direction and is the main through-road.\nIt connects to the [M56 motorway](https://bliptext.com/articles/m56-motorway) which cuts into the south of the town.\nTo the west of the Central Expressway lies the Old Town of Runcorn, Higher Runcorn, [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-runcorn), [Weston](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-runcorn) Point and Clifton (formerly Rocksavage), and the new town estates of Halton Brook and Halton Lodge.\nTo the east are the formerly separate villages of [Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-runcorn) and [Norton](https://bliptext.com/articles/norton-runcorn), and the new town estates of Castlefields, Palacefields, Windmill Hill, Murdishaw, Brookvale, Hallwood Park, [Beechwood](https://bliptext.com/articles/beechwood-runcorn) and [Sandymoor](https://bliptext.com/articles/sandymoor).\nThe density of housing is generally high, but there are open green areas, in particular [heathland](https://bliptext.com/articles/heath-habitat) on Runcorn Hill and the extensive Town Park created as part of the new town.\nHousing is typically situated within the expressways and industry outside.\n# [Aerial view of the Runcorn Gap | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Runcorn///bridges///aerial.jpg]\n\n## Geology\nThe Runcorn area drains into the River Mersey to the north and the River Weaver to the south.\nThe [bedrock](https://bliptext.com/articles/bedrock) geology of the River Mersey and the northern and western fringes of Runcorn is [Sherwood Sandstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/sherwood-sandstone-group) and pebbly sandstone.\nTo the south there is a transition to siltstone, sandstone and predominantly [Mercia Mudstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercia-mudstone-group).\nThe primary sedimentary rock is [New Red Sandstone](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-red-sandstone).\nThe [superficial geology](https://bliptext.com/articles/superficial-deposits) is varied with pockets of sand and [diamicton](https://bliptext.com/articles/diamicton) along the lower-lying land adjacent to the Mersey and through Runcorn.\nSand and gravel becomes common on the southern fringes of the town and elsewhere there are small pockets of clay, silt, sand and gravel.\n# [Runcorn Hill, showing cutting through sandstone | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Runcorn///Hill///3.jpg]\n\n## Ecology\nThere are two [Sites of Special Scientific Interest](https://bliptext.com/articles/site-of-special-scientific-interest) within the town: [Floodbrook Clough](https://bliptext.com/articles/floodbrook-clough) and the Mersey Estuary.\nFloodbrook Clough in Beechwood is an [Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland](https://bliptext.com/articles/ancient-woodland) and one of the best examples in Cheshire of clough woodland on [keuper marl](https://bliptext.com/articles/keuper-marl).\nThere are five [Local Nature Reserves](https://bliptext.com/articles/local-nature-reserve) designated under the [National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-parks-and-access-to-the-countryside-act-1949): Runcorn Hill, Dorchester Park, Oxmoor Woods, Wigg Island and Murdishaw Valley.\n\n# Demography\n\n## Population growth\nEarly census statistics for the town include only the areas known now as the Old Town and Higher Runcorn.\nIn 1936, Runcorn Urban District grew to incorporate the neighbouring village of Weston.\nThe present statistical boundaries of Runcorn were defined in the Runcorn New Town (Designation) Order 1964 which greatly expanded the town to the east.\nThe population of Runcorn in 1664 has been estimated as 305.\n\n## Religion\nIn the 2021 [census](https://bliptext.com/articles/census), 52.5% said they were [Christian](https://bliptext.com/articles/christianity), down from 70.1% in 2011.\n41.5% stated that they had \"no religion\" and 4.6% made no religious claims.\nThose stating their religions as [Buddhist](https://bliptext.com/articles/buddhism), [Hindu](https://bliptext.com/articles/hinduism), [Jewish](https://bliptext.com/articles/judaism), [Muslim](https://bliptext.com/articles/islam), [Sikh](https://bliptext.com/articles/sikhism) or other amounted to 1.3%.\nThe town's [Anglican](https://bliptext.com/articles/anglicanism) churches are part of the [Diocese of Chester](https://bliptext.com/articles/diocese-of-chester) and the Deanery of Frodsham.\nThe parish church is [All Saints Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-saints-church-runcorn), and there are 10 other Anglican churches in the town.\nFive [Catholic](https://bliptext.com/articles/catholic-church) churches can be found in Runcorn and are administered by the [Diocese of Shrewsbury](https://bliptext.com/articles/diocese-of-shrewsbury).\nThere are two [Methodist](https://bliptext.com/articles/methodist-church-of-great-britain) chapels and several shared churches.\nWicksten Drive Christian Centre is shared between Anglicans and Methodists.\nHallwood Ecumenical Parish in [Beechwood](https://bliptext.com/articles/beechwood-runcorn) and Palace Fields consists of 2 churches, both recognised by the Church of England, the Methodist Church and the [United Reformed Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/united-reformed-church).\nThere is also a [Pentecostal](https://bliptext.com/articles/pentecostalism) church, two independent [evangelical](https://bliptext.com/articles/evangelicalism) churches, a [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](https://bliptext.com/articles/mormon) chapel, a [spiritualist](https://bliptext.com/articles/spiritualism-religious-movement) church, and a [Jehovah's Witnesses](https://bliptext.com/articles/jehovah-s-witnesses) [Kingdom Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/kingdom-hall).\nIn 2013, the former Waterloo Hotel was converted into a Buddhist temple by [Wat Phra Singh](https://bliptext.com/articles/wat-phra-singh).\n, there are five resident monks.\n# [All Saints' Parish Church | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Runcorn///All///Saints///1.jpg]\n\n## Ethnicity\nIn the 2021 census, of Runcorn's 62,100 residents, 96.6% identified as White.\nMixed/multiple ethnic groups made up 1.5%; Asian/Asian British/Asian Welsh 1.0%; Black/Black British/Black Welsh/Caribbean/African 0.4%; and Other ethnic group 0.6%.\n97.4% had English as a first language.\n\n# Economy\nIn 2020, the [GVA](https://bliptext.com/articles/gross-value-added) for the Runcorn Built-up Area Sub-division was £2.86 billion.\nRuncorn has a higher proportion of people working in manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale and retail than the average for England.\nChemical manufacturing has been the town's dominant sector since the 19th century, but the local economy has increasingly diversified into other advanced manufacturing sectors, such as aerospace and automotive, as well as services and logistics.\nThe main industrial areas of the town are Astmoor, Manor Park, Whitehouse, the Heath and Weston Point.\nSci-Tech Daresbury is to the southeast of the town.\nThe main retail and leisure area is [Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city) in the centre of the town with a smaller district centre at the old town.\n\n## Manufacturing and chemicals\nThe town's chemical industry was dominated for many years by [ICI](https://bliptext.com/articles/imperial-chemical-industries)'s Chlor Chemical division.\nBut since 2001, Inovyn (a wholly owned subsidiary of [Ineos](https://bliptext.com/articles/ineos)) has operated the extensive chemical works in the west of the town, employing 750 people in 2020.\nIn Runcorn, Invoyn manufactures chlorine, caustic soda and chlorinated derivatives.\nIt also produces salt, made from [brine](https://bliptext.com/articles/brine) transported by [pipeline](https://bliptext.com/articles/pipeline-transport) from the saltfields of central Cheshire, and sulphuric acid.\nSeveral other chemical manufacturers also have a presence at the site, including Koura (formerly [Mexichem](https://bliptext.com/articles/orbia) Fluor), Industrial Chemicals, Packed Chlorine Limited, VYNOVA and Runcorn MCP Ltd (a joint venture between INOVYN and VYNOVA).\nThe site is considered to be of strategic national importance to the UK.\nThe site includes two independently owned power stations; the 810 MW natural gas fired [Rocksavage Power Station](https://bliptext.com/articles/rocksavage-power-station) and the Runcorn Energy Recovery Facility operated by Viridor which also supplies heat to the Inovyn facility.\nICI's other former site in Runcorn comprising offices and laboratories is now the Heath Business and Technical Park, which provides office, laboratory, conference, and leisure facilities.\nOther large employers include advanced manufacturing firms Sigmatex (manufacturer of carbon fibre), [Héroux-Devtek](https://bliptext.com/articles/h-roux-devtek) (manufacturer of aircraft landing gear), [Whitford](https://bliptext.com/articles/ppg-industries) (manufacturer of speciality coatings), [Teva](https://bliptext.com/articles/teva-pharmaceuticals) (manufacturer of pharmaceuticals) and [Fresenius Kabi](https://bliptext.com/articles/fresenius-company) (manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical products).\nDrinks manufacturer, [Diageo](https://bliptext.com/articles/diageo), has maintained a packaging plant at Runcorn since 1970 which packages [Guinness](https://bliptext.com/articles/guinness), [Pimm's](https://bliptext.com/articles/pimm-s), [Kilkenny](https://bliptext.com/articles/kilkenny-beer) and [Smirnoff](https://bliptext.com/articles/smirnoff) Ice for distribution in Great Britain.\n[Sci-Tech Daresbury](https://bliptext.com/articles/sci-tech-daresbury) is a National Science and Innovation Campus to the south east of Runcorn.\nThe campus offers lab space, offices and workshops to rent.\nIt is home to the largest supercomputer in Europe and the Virtual Engineering Centre which works with [Bentley](https://bliptext.com/articles/bentley) motor cars, [BAE Systems](https://bliptext.com/articles/bae-systems) and [Jaguar Land Rover](https://bliptext.com/articles/jaguar-land-rover).\nThe site also houses [Daresbury Laboratory](https://bliptext.com/articles/daresbury-laboratory) which employs over 300 staff specialising in accelerator science, bio-medicine, physics, chemistry, materials, engineering and computational science.\n# [Chemical works at Weston Point, Runcorn | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Chemical///Works///Weston///Point.jpg]\n\n## Logistics\nRuncorn's position between Liverpool and Manchester airports and its links to the rail, motorway and canal networks have made it a centre for logistics.\nThere are two ports in the west of the town on the Manchester Ship Canal.\n[Runcorn Docks](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-docks) is owned by the Manchester Ship Canal Company, which is part of the [Peel Ports Group](https://bliptext.com/articles/peel-group).\n[Weston Point Docks](https://bliptext.com/articles/weston-point-docks) is operated by FLX Logistics.\nThere are several large logistics depots across Runcorn, including Eddie Stobart Group's road haulage site and driver training school in Manor Park, the Downton haulage depot at the Whitehouse Industrial Estate, and an NHS Supply Chain Depot in Astmoor Industrial Estate.\n# [Tanker at Runcorn Docks | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/RuncornTanker.jpg]\n\n## Services\nThere has been a shift in employment from manufacturing to service industries.\nIn 1991, 34% worked in the manufacturing sector and 61% were in the service sector.\nBy 2004, 17% were in manufacturing jobs and 78% were in service jobs.\nThis trend in the local region is demonstrated in this chart which shows the regional \"gross value added\" of Halton and Warrington at current basic prices, with figures in millions of pounds.\n includes hunting and forestry \n includes energy and construction \n includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured \n Components may not sum to totals due to rounding \n \nRuncorn has two shopping centres.\nThe original shopping area was in the older part of the town on High Street, Regent Street and Church Street.\nThis centre continues to exist, but with the coming of the new town, has declined.\nIn the centre of the new town, [Runcorn Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city) is an enclosed [shopping mall](https://bliptext.com/articles/shopping-mall) with two attached bus stations.\nAdjacent to it is Trident Retail Park containing shopping outlets and a cinema and nearby is a large [Asda](https://bliptext.com/articles/asda) [superstore](https://bliptext.com/articles/superstore) that opened in 1989.\n\n# Transport\nThe Runcorn New Town Masterplan created three distinct types of road: busways, expressways and local roads.\nIn addition, there is a network of dedicated [cycleways](https://bliptext.com/articles/segregated-cycle-facilities) in the town.\nThe [Runcorn Busway](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-busway) was the world's first [bus rapid transit](https://bliptext.com/articles/bus-rapid-transit) system in 1971.\nFirst conceived in the Runcorn New Town Masterplan in 1966, it opened for services in October 1971 and all 22 km were operational by 1980.\nIt is a road network for use by buses only and, unlike guided busways or bus lanes, it is a totally separate road system, not running alongside (or down the middle of) existing roads.\nIt was designed so that most residents would be no more than five minutes walking distance, or 500 yard, from a bus stop.\nThe central station is at Runcorn Shopping City where buses arrive on dedicated raised busways to two enclosed stations.\nProfessor Arthur Ling, Runcorn Development Corporation's Master Planner, claimed to have invented the concept while sketching on the back of an envelope.\nBus services are provided by [Arriva North West](https://bliptext.com/articles/arriva-north-west), Anthony's Travel, MP Travel, Warrington's Own Buses, Ashcroft Travel, Halton Community Transport and Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire.\nTwo coach companies operate from the town; [Selwyns Travel](https://bliptext.com/articles/selwyns-travel), and Anthony's Travel.\nThe expressways form a ring road around the town in a figure of eight and are intended to keep all through traffic off the local roads.\nThis system links north to [Widnes](https://bliptext.com/articles/widnes) and [Liverpool](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool) by the A533 over the [Mersey Gateway](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-gateway) bridge, east to [Warrington](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington) by the [A56](https://bliptext.com/articles/a56-road), south to [Northwich](https://bliptext.com/articles/northwich) and north Cheshire by the A533, and west by the A557 to the [M56](https://bliptext.com/articles/m56-motorway) and to [Frodsham](https://bliptext.com/articles/frodsham).\nThe M56 links to the [M6](https://bliptext.com/articles/m6-motorway) and, to the north of Widnes, the A557 links to the [M6](https://bliptext.com/articles/m6-motorway)2.\nThere are two railway stations.\n[Runcorn](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-station), located in the old town, is on the Liverpool branch of the [West Coast Main Line](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-coast-main-line), and is managed by [Avanti West Coast](https://bliptext.com/articles/avanti-west-coast), which provides services between [Liverpool Lime Street](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-lime-street-railway-station) and [London Euston](https://bliptext.com/articles/euston-railway-station).\n[West Midlands Trains](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-midlands-trains) run a service between Liverpool and Birmingham New Street that calls at the station.\n[Runcorn East station](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-east-railway-station), located in the Murdishaw district of the new town, is managed by [Transport for Wales](https://bliptext.com/articles/transport-for-wales-rail), and provides services to [Warrington](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-bank-quay-railway-station), [Manchester](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-piccadilly-railway-station), [Chester](https://bliptext.com/articles/chester-railway-station) and [North Wales](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-wales).\nRuncorn is 8 mi from [Liverpool John Lennon Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-john-lennon-airport) and 22 mi from [Manchester Airport](https://bliptext.com/articles/manchester-airport).\n# [Runcorn Railway Bridge (left) and the Silver Jubilee Bridge (right) | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Runcorn///Bridges.jpg]\n\n# Landmarks\nThere are two Grade I [listed buildings](https://bliptext.com/articles/listed-building) and [scheduled monuments](https://bliptext.com/articles/scheduled-monuments) in Runcorn: [Halton Castle](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-castle) and [Norton Priory](https://bliptext.com/articles/norton-priory).\nHalton Castle is one of two remaining Norman castles in Cheshire, built in 1071 and reconstructed in local sandstone in the 13th century.\nThe castle was [slighted](https://bliptext.com/articles/slighting) following the Civil War and the gatehouse converted to a courthouse in 1737, now [The Castle](https://bliptext.com/articles/castle-hotel-halton) public house and a Grade II* listed building in its own right.\nNorton Priory, now a museum, is the most excavated monastic site in Europe, consisting of the ruins of an Abbey, 12th century undercroft and 18th century Walled Garden.\nBoth Norton Priory and Halton Castle are managed by Norton Priory Museum Trust Limited.\nMost Grade II* listed buildings in the town are around the base of Halton Castle, including [Seneschal's House](https://bliptext.com/articles/seneschal-s-house) (1598), [Halton Old Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-old-hall) (1693), [Chesshyre Library](https://bliptext.com/articles/chesshyre-library) (1730) and [Halton Vicarage](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-vicarage) (1739).\n[Hallwood](https://bliptext.com/articles/hallwood-cheshire) (1710), a former mansion house, is also Grade II* listed and its former stable block is Grade II.\nBut both have been derelict since the Tricorn public house closed in 2017.\nThe town's 19th century Anglican churches are also listed buildings, including the Grade II* [All Saints](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-saints-church-runcorn) (1849) and [St John's](https://bliptext.com/articles/st-john-the-evangelist-s-church-weston) (1897), and the Grade II [Holy Trinity](https://bliptext.com/articles/holy-trinity-church-runcorn) (1838), [Christ Church](https://bliptext.com/articles/christ-church-weston-point) (1841) and [St Mary's](https://bliptext.com/articles/st-mary-s-church-halton) (1851).\nThe Runcorn home of the Duke of Bridgewater, [Bridgewater House](https://bliptext.com/articles/bridgewater-house-runcorn), is a prominent landmark and Grade II listed building on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal where a flight of locks from his canal once stood.\nThe home of a later industrialist, Thomas Johnson, became [Runcorn Town Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-town-hall), a Grade II listed Italianate building with similarities to [Osborne House](https://bliptext.com/articles/osborne-house) on the Isle of Wight.\nThe landmarks largest in scale are the three bridges which span the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal at Runcorn.\n[Runcorn Railway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-railway-bridge) and the [Silver Jubilee Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/silver-jubilee-bridge) are Grade II* and II listed buildings respectively while the [Mersey Gateway Bridge](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-gateway-bridge) was officially opened in 2018 by [Queen Elizabeth II](https://bliptext.com/articles/queen-elizabeth-ii) and the [Duchess of Sussex](https://bliptext.com/articles/meghan-duchess-of-sussex).\n[Norton Water Tower](https://bliptext.com/articles/norton-water-tower) is another prominent Grade II listed landmark at 112 ft high.\n[Runcorn War Memorial](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-war-memorial) is Grade II listed and commemorates those who died in the [First](https://bliptext.com/articles/first-world-war) and [Second World Wars](https://bliptext.com/articles/second-world-war), as well as those killed in later conflicts.\nThe garden contains a statue of [Thomas Alfred Jones](https://bliptext.com/articles/thomas-alfred-jones) who was awarded the [Victoria Cross](https://bliptext.com/articles/victoria-cross) in the First World War.\nThere is a memorial in Halton Village commemorating residents who served in the [Boer War](https://bliptext.com/articles/second-boer-war).\n[Runcorn Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city), at the heart of the New Town, was designed by [Fred Roche CBE](https://bliptext.com/articles/fred-roche) and at the time of its construction was the largest covered shopping centre in Europe.\nIt was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.\n# [Halton Castle overlooking the Mersey Gateway Bridge | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/The///ruins///of///Halton///Castle///looking///towards///the///Mersey///Gateway///in///Runcorn%2C///Cheshire%2C///England.jpg]\n\n# Culture\n\n## Theatre and cinema\n[The Brindley](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-brindley) is a theatre and arts centre which opened in 2004.\nIt is situated in the old town and named after [James Brindley](https://bliptext.com/articles/james-brindley), engineer of the adjacent Bridgewater Canal.\nIt contains a [proscenium](https://bliptext.com/articles/proscenium) theatre seating 420 and a multi-purpose theatre seating 108, The Studio, which doubles as a cinema.\nThere is an exhibition space for art installations, a small café and multi-purpose rooms.\nThe centre is owned and administered by Halton Borough Council which runs community events in the building.\nIn 2007, it won the title of 'Best Arts Project in the UK' at the National Lottery Awards.\nA [multiplex cinema](https://bliptext.com/articles/multiplex-movie-theater) was run by [Cineworld](https://bliptext.com/articles/cineworld) at Trident Retail Park until its closure on 26th November 2023.\n# [The Brindley Theatre in 2006 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Brindley///Arts///Centre%2C///Runcorn.jpg]\n\n## Media\nRuncorn is served by two weekly newspapers: the Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News, published by Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales and hosted online by the [Liverpool Echo](https://bliptext.com/articles/liverpool-echo), and the Runcorn and Widnes World, published by [Newsquest](https://bliptext.com/articles/newsquest).\nThe town is also home to Halton Community Radio, a volunteer-run radio station which broadcasts over the Runcorn and Widnes area on the frequency 92.3FM.\nIt was launched on 8 August 2008 with a five-year licence to broadcast.\nThe BBC situation comedy [Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps](https://bliptext.com/articles/two-pints-of-lager-and-a-packet-of-crisps) was set in Runcorn and included external shots of the former Waterloo Hotel (known in the programme as The Archer), the Silver Jubilee Bridge and Halton Castle.\n[Drop Dead Gorgeous](https://bliptext.com/articles/drop-dead-gorgeous-tv-series), a drama on [BBC Three](https://bliptext.com/articles/bbc-three), was also set in Runcorn.\nThe first two series of the BBC police drama [Merseybeat](https://bliptext.com/articles/merseybeat-tv-series) featured sequences of the town and areas of Runcorn old town featured in [The Five](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-five-tv-series) TV crime drama series on Sky1.\nNorton Priory has been used as a location in historical dramas, sitcoms and children's programmes, including [Little Birds](https://bliptext.com/articles/little-birds-tv-series), Bone Detectives (Channel 4), [Island at War](https://bliptext.com/articles/island-at-war), [Casanova](https://bliptext.com/articles/casanova-2005-tv-serial) and [Young Dracula](https://bliptext.com/articles/young-dracula).\nThe Silver Jubilee Bridge featured in the Netflix series, [Stay Close](https://bliptext.com/articles/stay-close).\nRuncorn was a setting in the Netflix series, [The Last Kingdom](https://bliptext.com/articles/the-last-kingdom-tv-series), although no scenes were filmed in the town.\n# [The former Waterloo Hotel, setting of The Archer in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, now a Buddhist temple | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Waterloo///Hotel%2C///Runcorn.jpg]\n\n## Literature\nThe Runcorn Ferry is a [monologue](https://bliptext.com/articles/monologue) written by [Marriott Edgar](https://bliptext.com/articles/marriott-edgar) and popularised by [Stanley Holloway](https://bliptext.com/articles/stanley-holloway) celebrating the ancient river crossing which existed from the 12th century until the construction of the Transporter Bridge in 1905.\nIt includes the lines:\nPer tuppence per person per trip ...\nPer trip or per part of per trip.\n\n# Community facilities\nThe main library is at [Runcorn Shopping City](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-shopping-city) with a branch library in the old town centre.\nA Council 'one stop shop' called Halton Direct Link is based next to the main library.\nOpen areas in Runcorn form part of [Mersey Forest](https://bliptext.com/articles/mersey-forest), one of Britain's [community forests](https://bliptext.com/articles/community-forests-in-england).\nIn addition to smaller local parks and allotments, there are four large parks in Runcorn:\nThere are three privately run swimming pools at Beechwood Community Centre, INARA club and Holiday Inn Runcorn.\nThe local authority runs two leisure centres and swimming pools at Runcorn Swimming Pool and Brookvale Recreation Centre in addition to outdoor sporting facilities in its parks.\nRuncorn's hospital is [Halton General Hospital](https://bliptext.com/articles/halton-general-hospital), which is administered by the [Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-and-halton-teaching-hospitals-nhs-foundation-trust).\nIt has an Urgent Care Centre but acute medical services are provided by [Warrington Hospital](https://bliptext.com/articles/warrington-hospital).\nThe Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre, a purpose-built hospital for orthopaedic surgery, is on the same site.\nHalton Haven Hospice is in the Murdishaw area of the town.\nThe body responsible for planning health services in Runcorn, including [primary care](https://bliptext.com/articles/primary-care), is the Halton Clinical Commissioning Group.\n[Cheshire Constabulary](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire-constabulary) operate a police station adjacent to Runcorn Shopping City in the centre of the New Town and [Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service](https://bliptext.com/articles/cheshire-fire-and-rescue-service) maintains a 24-hour fire station.\n# [Halton Lea Library | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Halton///Lea///Library///at///Runcorn///Shopping///City.jpg]\n# [Halton Miniature Railway | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Halton///Miniature///Railway///-///geograph.org.uk///-///449256.jpg]\n\n# Sports\n\n## Football\nThe town has two senior football teams – [Runcorn Linnets FC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-linnets) and [Runcorn Town FC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-town).\nIt also has a Sunday League and a Junior League, and an Open Age Women's Team, Runcorn Ladies FC.\nRuncorn Ladies FC were established in January 2012, and played in the Liverpool Open Age Women's Division, finishing in an impressive 7th position in their very first season.\nThe chairman and coaching team decided to agree a merge with Runcorn Linnets, 2 years later, and thus Runcorn Linnets Ladies were formed.\nRuncorn Linnets were formed as a trust-based team in 2006 from the now defunct [Runcorn F.C. Halton](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-f-c-halton).\nIt has existed in various guises since 1918, and its performance peaked in 1982 when it won the [Alliance Premier League](https://bliptext.com/articles/alliance-premier-league), then the highest division below the [Football League](https://bliptext.com/articles/football-league).\nRuncorn Town was formed in 1970 as Mond Rangers FC with the club changing their name in 2005 in order to \"try and bring a more professional look to the club in general, and increase support from both businesses and individuals in the local community.\"\nAfter finishing in third place in the [West Cheshire League](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-cheshire-league) at the end of the 2009/10 season, the club were elected to join the [North West Counties League](https://bliptext.com/articles/north-west-counties-football-league) at their AGM, the highest level that they have ever played at.\n\n## Rugby\nIn the late 19th century, before the [1895 schism](https://bliptext.com/articles/history-of-rugby-league), [rugby union](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-union) was played at the now defunct [Runcorn RFC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rfc).\nWhen the [rugby football](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-football) schism occurred in 1895, Runcorn became founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union (now [Rugby Football League](https://bliptext.com/articles/rugby-football-league)).\nRuncorn finished bottom of the league in the [1914–15 season](https://bliptext.com/articles/1914-15-northern-rugby-football-union-season) and did not recommence playing in the aftermath of the First World War.\nRugby league in the town is now represented by [Runcorn RLC](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rlc).\n\n## Other sports\nRuncorn Sports Club in Higher Runcorn hosts several clubs, including Runcorn Cricket Club, Hockey Club, Running Club and Subscription Bowling Club.\n[Runcorn Rowing Club](https://bliptext.com/articles/runcorn-rowing-club) is sited on the River Weaver Navigation near Clifton Village and also houses Runcorn Canoe Club.\nWeston Angling Club Runcorn is a private fishing club which owns Sandymoor Pool in the east of the town.\nThere is an 18-hole golf course at Runcorn Golf Club in Clifton Road.\nNearby is Heath Tennis Club which uses facilities at the Heath School.\nRuncorn Ski Centre in Town Park consists of three dry ski slopes: an 85-metre main slope, a 45-metre extended nursery slope, and a 25-metre nursery slope.\nThe centre runs both skiing and snowboarding lessons.\nRuncorn had a [professional wrestling school](https://bliptext.com/articles/professional-wrestling-school) and promotion called the Runcorn Wrestling Academy (RWA) from 2005 until 2020, when it closed following allegations of sexual harassment during the [Speaking Out movement](https://bliptext.com/articles/speaking-out-movement).\n\n# Notable people\n\n## Arts and entertainment\n# [Sir Hall Caine.\nBorn 1853 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Portrait///of///Hall///Caine.jpg]\n# [Nicola Roberts, 2009 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/GirlsAloudOOCLive///Nicola.jpg]\n\n## Business, industry and science\n# [Hamilton Castner, 1890s | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Hamilton///Castner///1890s.jpg]\n\n## Military, politics and law\n\n## Religion\n# [Thomas Hazlehurst, chapel builder | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Thomas///Hazlehurst.jpg]\n\n## Sports\n# [Harry Speakman, 1888 | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Harry///Speakman.png]","revisionCount":0},"hasMore":false,"nextCursor":null}