Halton

Halton is a unitary authority in North West England, covering the towns of Runcorn and Widnes on opposite banks of the River Mersey. The borough contains stretches of the Manchester Ship Canal and a number of industrial sites that developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, notably chemical works around Widnes. Road crossings link the two towns: the Silver Jubilee Bridge and the Mersey Gateway carry local and regional traffic. Runcorn is the administrative centre and its riverside and dock areas reflect the borough's transport and manufacturing history.

Local landmarks include Norton Priory, where medieval abbey remains sit beside an archaeological museum, and the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, which traces the area’s chemical heritage. Runcorn New Town planning left a visible imprint: a segregated busway constructed in the early 1970s still runs through the town and forms part of the public transport network. Riverfront paths, country parks and repurposed docklands offer walking and cycling routes along the Mersey and sections of the canal.