Welcome to the Busway part of the site, focussing mainly on Busway history but also including photos of the Busway at present, and with much more to come in the future!

Pages on this part of the site: Busway history: Key Dates - some of the key dates in the contruction of the Busway. Masterplan details - a passage from the New Town Masterplan, includes details on possible routes, vehicles etc. 1973 services - details of the services operating on the Busway in March 1973, when it was not completed. Opening ceremony - details of the opening ceremony. Other items: Busway photographs - some photos from July 2001, inluding a 'virtual tour' of Whitehouse and some pictures from Astmoor and Murdishaw. A brief introduction Runcorn was designated as a New Town in April 1964, as an overspill for the Merseyside area. Professor Arthur Ling was appointed as Consultant Architect Planner, and he decided that some form of Rapid Transit system would be desireable to avoid congestion that even in 1964 was becoming a problem. Various schemes were considered (see Masterplan detail). It was envisaged that there would be a 50:50 modal split between car and Rapid Transit for journies to work. The Rapid Transit system was designed as a 'carrot' to encourage people to use it - 90% of New Town homes were to be within a five-minute walk of a stop on the system, and in the industrial areas the system passed between the factories and the car parks. Sadly the 50:50 split was never achieved, but other than for Bridge traffic there is very little congestion in Runcorn today, although this must in part be due to the good planning of the Expressway system. Arthur Ling was many years ahead of his time in including such a well integrated and thought out transport system in Runcorn with such emphahsis on public transport not present in most other New Towns. Useful links: Sadly, the New Towns record site has been taken down, but Halton Borough Council's New Town summary is a useful introduction to the New Town development of Runcorn. If you have any memories or information about the busway I am eager to hear from you - emails to chris@runcorn-busway.zzn.com gratefully received!

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