Major milestone achieved for Runcorn Station Quarter masterplan

A new public space at Runcorn Station has been officially opened by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram. The project is the latest phase of the Runcorn Station Quarter masterplan, which is being delivered by Halton Borough Council with £18.2m funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Funding and £0.55m from OFGEM’s Green Recovery Investment Funding.

As the only station on the West Coast Mainline outside of Liverpool Lime Street, Runcorn Station Quarter is a major hub for mid and long-distance rail travel and a project of significant importance to the wider Liverpool City Region.

Following the opening of the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, the masterplan is part of a major transformation of the town. The project has seen the demolition and reconfiguration of major highways infrastructure, which previously severed the railway station from the town centre. As part of the new Runcorn Station Quarter, land has been freed up for redevelopment by removing the trumpet loop that connected to the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

Early strategy work by Mott MacDonald identified the potential of the area and these projects in 2017. The consultancy then led the engineering design of both the major infrastructure reconfigurations and the station piazza.

Ray Langley, technical principal at Mott MacDonald said: “We’re proud of the work we are doing to support the vision for Runcorn Station Quarter, which will transform the area and improve transport links, leisure and business opportunities. The completion of the new gateway at Runcorn station is a major milestone in the project. The concrete structures that previously welcomed passengers have been replaced with a new public space, which the town’s community can be proud of.”

Tom Roberts, Mott MacDonald’s cities lead for Liverpool City Region said: “Cities all over the world are removing major infrastructure barriers to create better places – and we’re delighted to have been part of that journey in Runcorn. We're sure that the Station Quarter will go from strength-to-strength now with the new public space at its heart.”