Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Wigg Island

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Phone
  
+44 303 333 4300


Address
  
UK, Runcorn, United Kingdom

Hours
  
Closed now Sunday8AM–6PMMonday8AM–6PMTuesday8AM–6PMWednesday8AM–6PMThursday8AM–6PMFriday8AM–6PMSaturday8AM–6PMSuggest an edit

Similar
  
Norton Priory, The Brindley, Runcorn Railway Bridge, Mersey Gateway, Runcorn railway station

Wigg island run


Wigg Island, also known as Wigg Island Community Park, is a Local Nature Reserve near Runcorn in Halton, Cheshire, England. It lies between the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal. It was opened on 19 April 2002 by the Mayor of Halton and Bill Oddie. The island is named after Charles Wigg, who started an alkali works there in the 1860s to extract copper from its ore. It was originally served by the Runcorn to Latchford Canal, and later by the Manchester Ship Canal. During the Second World War it was a centre for the production of mustard gas as Wiggs Works East, then Randles. After the war it was operated by ICI. Production ended in the 1960s.

Contents

The nature reserve covers 23 hectares (57 acres) and is used by birdwatchers. Bee Orchids are among the wild flowers found there. There is a visitor centre and a wind turbine. It is reached via a swing bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal. The site was heavily contaminated and had to be cleaned up before use. It is managed by Halton Borough Council. It was made a Local Nature Reserve in 2004 and is a holder of Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag Award.

New mersey gateway work in progress wigg island 2


Wigg Island Visitor CentreEdit

The Cheshire Wildlife Trust managed the Wigg Island Visitor Centre in Wigg Island Community Park through a partnership with Halton Borough Council. The centre is open on Fridays and Sundays from April through September. Visitor can learn about local wildlife and enjoy refreshments. As of March 2016 it was closed to the public. it is permanently closed now..

References

Wigg Island Wikipedia