Understand
Runcorn grew as a result of its situation at the lowest crossing point on the River Mersey. A rail bridge and vehicle ferry were the only means of crossing until 1898, when the Transporter Bridge was opened. In the 1960s the Runcorn-Widnes Bridge was built, at around the same time Runcorn was designated a "New Town" and grew to its present population of about 60,000 as an overspill for Liverpool. Therefore the residents of the new town/overspill area have a 'Liverpool' heritage which is in contrast to those in the original town. It was designed primarily on the assumption that residents would own cars, but a system of busways was also provided, on which only buses are permitted to run. It has never been a tourist destination but has a number of interesting features including the medieval Halton Castle, an arts centre called The Brindley and Norton Priory.
