Recent Widnes History

In the early part of the 20th century there was a resurgance of the chemical industry, particularly through the manufacturing of new products by the United Alkali Company.

The opening in 1905 of the Widnes-Runcorn Transporter Bridge gave the first direct link across the Mersey for road traffic, this was one of many improvements which were were being made to the structure of the town. By 1919 evidence was emerging of improved health of the residents of Widnes. In the 1920s and 1930s the chemical industry further diversified the range of products it manufactured. A major slums clearance programme led to more and higher quality homes. This continued following World War II when more slums were cleared and there was continued growth and diversity in the chemical industry. By the 1950s the town had 45 major chemical factories.

In 1961 the Silver Jubilee Bridge replaced the outdated Transporter Bridge. In more recent years more modern factories have replaced many of the old heavy chemical factories. There has been significant reclamation of much of the land previously polluted by the old dirty chemical processes significant examples are Spike Island and Pickerings Pasture which has led to improvements in the environment and cleanliness of the town.