Runcorn Walk: Town Centre【4K】

Located in the county of Cheshire, and around 12 miles southeast of Liverpool, is the town of Runcorn.

The history of Runcorn stretches back to 915 AD, the year in which it was founded by Ethelfleda, ruler of the kingdom of Mercia. It was first recorded as 'Rumcofan', meaning 'a wide cove or bay'. The settlement was built to protect the northern frontier of Mercia against the Vikings.

From around 1071 construction began on Halton Castle in the village of Halton, which today forms part of Runcorn. This was later rebuilt in stone, and would go on to play a role in the English Civil War. In 1642 it was garrisoned for King Charles I before being taken by the Parliamentarians on two separate occasions. By 1650 the castle had been dismantled.

In 1761 the Bridgewater Canal opened from Worsley to Stretford in what is today known as Greater Manchester. An extension was opened in 1767 and completed in 1776 when it reached its terminus here in Runcorn. The initial purpose of the Bridgewater Canal was to transport coal from the mines of Worsley to Manchester. Its construction ushered in a period of intensive canal building across the country during the Industrial Revolution, which became known as Canal Mania.

Industry in Runcorn during the 18th and 19th centuries included shipbuilding, engineering, tanning, chemical manufacturing and sandstone quarrying. For a period, the town became a health resort, with saltwater baths opening in 1822. Heavy industry in Runcorn brought about the decline of its status as a spa town.

In 1868 the Runcorn Railway Bridge opened providing a direct link across the River Mersey. This utilised the geographically significant narrowing that occurs in the river, known as the Runcorn Gap. With the opening of the bridge, a direct route to Widnes was opened up. The following year, in 1869, the railway arrived in Runcorn. Today this is situated on the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Main Line which runs from London Euston to Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

In 1894 the Manchester Ship Canal opened, giving Manchester a direct route via ferry to the Irish Sea. Around Runcorn, the canal runs adjacent to the River Mersey as can be seen towards the end of the walk.

In 1905 the Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge opened. This provided a direct link via traffic between the two towns. This was Britain's first transporter bridge, and the largest of its type ever built in the world. In 1961 the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge opened. A day after its opening, its predecessor, the transporter bridge, was demolished. In 1977 following a widening of the carriageway, it was renamed the Silver Jubilee Bridge in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's 25th year on the throne. It is the westernmost bridge across the River Mersey, and stands to this day as an icon of Runcorn. It provides a free crossing to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and public transport, although since 2021 a toll applies to all other vehicles.

In 1964 Runcorn was designated a New Town to help reduce overcrowding in Liverpool. Since then the population has more than doubled from under 30,000 to over 60,000 today.

The sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is set in Runcorn, where its writer Susan Nickson was born and raised. Many of the outdoor scenes were shot on location here.

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Filmed: 19th March 2022

Link to the walk on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/myLMRzYEYJJerUT77

Filmed on a Sony FDR-AX700 with a Zhiyun Crane 2 and a Sony ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 High Street
0:09 High Street / Bridgewater Canal
0:38 High Street
5:35 Church Street
8:41 Regent Street
9:42 Co-op car park
10:56 Granville Street
11:42 Church Street
11:48 King Street
13:11 Mersey Road
13:38 Silver Jubilee Bridge
13:48 Runcorn Promenade
14:11 Manchester Ship Canal (foreground) / River Mersey (background)
14:16 Manchester Ship Canal (foreground) / River Mersey (background) / Fiddler's Ferry Power Station (horizon)
14:22 Manchester Ship Canal (foreground) / River Mersey (background)
14:32 Runcorn Promenade
14:48 All Saints Church
14:58 Runcorn Promenade

Видео Runcorn Walk: Town Centre【4K】 канала 4K Explorer