Weaver Junction

Weaver Junction is a railway junction connecting the West Coast Main Line (WCML) with the Weaver Junction–Liverpool line, opening on 1 April 1869. Trains bound for Liverpool from London diverge from the WCML at this junction. Weaver Junction is the oldest flying junction in Britain, and also the world. The junction between the main line to Warrington and the north, and the direct line to Runcorn and Liverpool was originally from the date of opening in 1869, a flat junction at Birdswood. The flyover carrying the Liverpool line over the main line at Birdswood was not opened until 13 November 1881. The junction is now located some 0.75 miles (1.21 km) south of its former location and known as Weaver Junction. At initial construction, it avoided the need for both a diamond crossing and a conflict of routes. Its location is strategic and is considered a high importance freight corridor. The Weaver Junction area is classed as congested infrastructure when discussed in Parliament in connection with High Speed 2.

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Dutton, Cheshire

Dutton is a civil parish and village within the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester, in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, about two miles (3 km) east of Runcorn. Dutton is on the River Weaver and was home to Dutton Hall, built in 1513 and moved to Sussex in the 1930s. Dutton Viaduct, a viaduct of 20 arches, each 63 feet in span, and 60 feet high, carries the Grand Junction railway over Dutton Bottom, across the valley of the Weaver. It had a population of 424 according to the 2011 census.

Historic Site Landmark

Aston-by-Sutton

Aston (or Aston-by-Sutton) is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 111, reducing slightly to 106 at the 2011 census. The village is just outside the Runcorn urban area. From 1974 to 2009 it was in Vale Royal district. St Peter's Church is a Grade I listed building. Aston was the seat of the Aston baronets of the County of Chester (baronetcy created 1628, extinct 1815). Aston-by-Sutton was formerly a township and chapelry in the parish of Runcorn, in 1866 Aston by Sutton became a separate civil parish, on 9 November 1936 the parish was abolished and merged with Aston Grange to form "Aston". In 1931 the parish of Aston by Sutton had a population of 220.

Church Historic Site

Preston on the Hill

Preston on the Hill is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Preston Brook and the unitary authority area of Halton, in Cheshire, England. It is between the villages of Daresbury 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the north and Dutton 1.1 miles (1.8 km) to the south. The village comprises the hamlets of Windmill Lane, Waterfront, Cotton's Bridge, Tunnel End North, Tunnel Top and Barker's Hollow as well as several farms including White House, Little Manor, New Manor, Windmill Farm and Humble Bee House.

Neighbourhood

St Peter's Church, Aston-by-Sutton

St Peter's Church is in the small hamlet of Aston-by-Sutton, Cheshire near to the town of Runcorn. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Great Budworth. It is one of three parish churches in the parish of Aston-by-Sutton, Little Leigh and Lower Whitley. The other two being St Michael and All Angels, Little Leigh and St Luke, Lower Whitley. The three were previously individual parishes united in a benefice along with St Mark, Antrobus. The listing describes it as "a most pleasing late 17th to early 18th-century church, inside and out". The church stands in a relatively isolated position in the south side of Aston Lane in the hamlet.

Church Historic Site