Canal trips, bridge and play areas in Unlock Runcorn plans

Halton Council officially submitted an application this week for the Unlock Runcorn project. The scheme is a long-term aspiration of the Runcorn Locks Restoration Society (RLRS) - a group set up in 2004 to campaign for the connection of the Bridgewater Canal - which extends 39 miles from Runcorn to Leigh via Manchester - and the Manchester Ship Canal.

It was one of seven projects included in a successful council bid for £23.6m from the Government's Town Fund in 2021. If approved, the new plans would see the creation of a new arm of the Bridgewater Canal with a 40m-long mooring point for boats trips.

Design of some of the proposed Unlock Runcorn project features. Image from planning documents (Image: PR)

There would also be a new pedestrian footbridge across the new section of the canal, west of Waterloo Bridge. A community garden would be created with an orchard for for apples, pears and plums with biodiversity grassland including shrubs and trees. The plans include a flexible events space with café spill-out area and outdoor seating, a new play area to replace the current one at Dukesfield Playground, and a water themed play area featuring an Archimedes screw and mini lock gates.

Car and cycle parking, pedestrian and cycle access, new entrance from Rutland Street, green space and archaeological study site are also included in the scheme. The scheme also make provision for a potential café, office space, boat trip sales area and toilets - although they would require a separate planning application.

A design and access statement submitted in support, said: "The site has a rich history, this layout provides an opportunity to celebrate its former use as a canal and to safeguard the visionary Unlock Runcorn project."

It added: "This project could be seen as the first part of the wider Unlock Runcorn project to deliver a new canal extension and public green space for the residents of Runcorn."