Runcorn Busway
{{Short description|Busway system in Runcorn, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Runcorn Busway
| image = Runcorn-Busway-P1030854 (34524369561).jpg
| alt =
| caption = An elevated section of the Busway at Runcorn Shopping City in 2008
| image2 =
| alt2 =
| imagesize2 =
| caption2 =
| image3 =
| alt3 =
| imagesize3 =
| caption3 =
| owner = Halton Borough Council
| area served = Runcorn
| locale =
| transit_type = Bus rapid transit
| lines =
| line_number =
| start =
| end =
| stations =
| daily_ridership =
| annual_ridership =
| chief_executive =
| headquarters =
| website =
| began_operation = October 1971
| ended_operation =
| operator =
| vehicles =
| headway =
| system_length = {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| average_speed =
| top_speed =
| map = {{Halton busway}}
| map_name =
| map_state = collapsed
}}
The Runcorn Busway is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Runcorn, England. Opened in 1971, it was the first BRT system in the world.{{cite web |url=http://www.rudi.net/books/3346 |title=Runcorn New Town - 7.3 Transport |website=rudi.net |access-date=24 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018012240/http://www.rudi.net/books/3346 |archive-date=18 October 2014}}
History
First conceived in the Runcorn New Town Masterplan in 1966, it opened for services in October 1971 and all {{convert|22|km|mi}} were operational by 1980. It was the first BRT system in the world.{{cite journal |last=Lesley |first=Lewis |date=1983 |title=Runcorn - A Rapid Transit New Town? |jstor=23286723 |journal=Built Environment |volume=9 |issue=3/4 |page=234}} Arthur Ling, Runcorn Development Corporation's Master Planner, said that he had invented the concept while sketching on the back of an envelope.{{cite web| last = Crabtree| first = Gordon| date = 6 August 1971| title = Runcorn Busway creates worldwide interest| publisher=Commercial Motor | url=http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/6th-august-1971/32/runcorn-busway-creates-worldwide-interest| access-date=25 July 2020}} The town was designed around the transport system, with most residents no more than five minutes walking distance, or {{convert|500|yard|m}}, from the Busway.{{cite book | last = Ling |first = Arthur |url= http://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/evidencebase/Area%2520Specific%2520Evidence/RuncornNewTown/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_(1967).pdf | publication-date=1967 | title=Runcorn New Town Master Plan| publisher=Runcorn Development Corporation |access-date=25 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621015846/http://www4.halton.gov.uk/Pages/planning/policyguidance/pdf/evidencebase/Area%20Specific%20Evidence/RuncornNewTown/Runcorn_New_Town_Masterplan_(1967).pdf |archive-date=21 June 2018}}
The central station is at Runcorn Shopping City where buses arrive on dedicated raised busways to two enclosed stations.{{cite journal| last1 = Couch| first1 = Chris| last2 = Fowles| first2 = Steven| date = 2006| title = Britain: Runcorn — A Tale of Two Centres| jstor = 23289488| journal = Built Environment| volume = 32| issue = 1| pages = 88–102| doi = 10.2148/benv.32.1.88}}
Technical details
The Busway has a design speed of {{convert|40|mph|kph}} and a maximum gradient of 4 percent (or 6 percent for distances under 200 m).{{cite web |url=https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/tcrp90v1_cs/Runcorn.pdf |title=RUNCORN, UNITED KINGDOM - BRIEF: RUNCORN BUSWAY |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=21 August 2024}} Bus stops are at intervals of approximately {{convert|400|m|ft}}.
Gallery
{{multiple image
| align = center
| image1 = Runcorn busway near Runcorn East railway station - DSC06730.JPG
| caption1 = The Busway station for Runcorn East railway station
| alt1 =
| image2 = Elevated busway at Runcorn Shopping City.jpg
| caption2 = Elevated section of the Busway at Runcorn Shopping City
| alt2 =
| image3 = Runcorn-Busway-P1030865 (34524334551).jpg
| caption3 = A Busway junction with a general traffic road
| alt3 =
| image4 = Runcorn-Busway-P1030862 (34654965665).jpg
| caption4 = An Arriva bus in east Runcorn
| alt4 =
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd6B4QfkqUg 1974 Canadian documentary film about Runcorn New Town]
- [https://x.com/bbcarchive/status/786948903438397440 1971 BBC Archive video on the Runcorn Busway]
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01rk56y/where-we-live-now-3-new-town-home-town#t=35m32s 1979 BBC film, Where We Live Now]
{{UK busway}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Runcorn
Category:Guided busways and BRT systems in the United Kingdom