The Widnes–Runcorn Transporter Bridge crossed the river Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal linking the towns of Runcorn and Widnes.

Completed in 1905, it was Britain's first transporter bridge and the largest of its type ever built in the world.

A road bridge was clearly needed but it would have to pass high enough over the canal to allow the passage of ocean-going ships.

[4] In 1899 the Widnes & Runcorn Bridge Company was established under the chairmanship of Sir John Brunner to investigate the options.

[6] Parliamentary approval had already been obtained for a transporter bridge over the River Usk at Newport, Monmouthshire.

[10] The transporter bridge was opened (in the absence of King Edward VII who was indisposed) by Sir John Brunner on 29 May 1905.

[13] In its later years it made 49,000 journeys annually, carrying 280,000 cars, 145,000 commercial vehicles and over 2 million passengers.

On the Widnes side the power house remains and it has been designated as a Grade II* listed building by English Heritage.