Runcorn Railway Bridge

Runcorn Railway Bridge is a railway bridge that spans the River Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes with three wrought iron sections. The structure still carries trains on the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Main Line using electrified tracks.

The bridge was built in 1868 under William Baker, the chief engineer of the London and North Western Railway. It was constructed to support growing industrial activity between the two riverbanks and has remained in service ever since.

Three shields on the bridge display symbols connecting the region's towns and their railway heritage. These decorative elements show how important the link between communities was to the rail companies of the time.

The bridge has a former footway that has been closed for many decades and is not accessible to the public. Visitors can best view the structure from the river level or from the surrounding banks.

The iron structure was assembled using roughly 48,000 rivets, showing the meticulous craftsmanship required in Victorian engineering. The sheer number of fasteners highlights how labor-intensive construction was before modern welding techniques existed.

Location: Halton

Official opening: 1868

Made from material: wrought iron

GPS coordinates: 53.34676,-2.73835

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00