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Location notes
Daresbury is approximately 3 miles south of Warrington and about the same distance east of Runcorn. Two lines pass through the area, the West Coast Main Line and the Warrington to Chester line.
Railway type and traffic
The West Coast Main Line in this area has hourly services to London and Birmingham and most freight services heading south from Warrington Yard. The rest of the southbound freight uses the Chester line which has an hourly service between Manchester and Llandudno.
Environment
The location is semi-rural in that the immediate area is rural but both Runcorn, Warrington and various industrial estates are nearby.
Road directions
From the M56, junction 11:Head north on the A56 towards Warrington. The first lane on the left leads you to a small crossing on the WCML at Norton, the third on the left, just before the A558 roundabout and signposted Daresbury Laborotory takes you to a bridge over the Chester line.
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Parking
There is a small rough area just before the bridge at Daresbury visible from the bridge, the lane at Norton is a dead end and is not the best area to leave a car but should be fine if car is not too valuable.
Public transport
To reach the crossing at Norton, you need to either catch a train to Runcorn East on the Chester line or catch a bus from Runcorn (Main) station that operates to the busway at Murdishaw. Alight two bus stops after Murdishaw on the busway (the first is Runcorn East Station). Head downhill from this bus stop and the road will take you over the Chester line forming a track towards the WCML. After the crossing there is a canal at a higher level and by going north on the towpath there is a gap in the hedge giving views over the field or after another 200 yards there is a footpath passing through the field and under the WCML which can give views closer to the line. If you carry along the canal you will eventually reach the road at Daresbury (approx. 20-25 minutes walk from the Busway).
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Amenities
There are no amenities in the area, the nearest being in the estates of Runcorn.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Daresbury
Googly map
Streetmap links
Daresbury general view map
Daresbury close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Daresbury
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Photographic notes
The light at both these locations is best in the morning. The Daresbury bridge (Fig 1) is only suitable for trains from Chester towards Warrington and best early morning. The field (Fig 2) and footpath (Fig 3) at Norton are best for southbound morning trains.
From the footpath across the field video panning can be had of trains on the Chester line as it crosses the WCML on an embankment.
General views - All photographs © Mark Bearton unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south
Daresbury Bridge
Fig 2 - Looking north
Norton Crossing, this is about a mile south of the Daresbury location.
Fig 3 - Looking south
Norton Crossing - Footpath
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