Queensway Silver Jubilee Bridge Closed for Filming , Halton Council 2026

Key Points

• Halton Council has closed Queensway and sections of the Silver Jubilee Bridge from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26, 2026 for filming.
• The closure runs from 9.30am on July 24 until 7pm on July 26, with suitably signed alternative routes provided.
• Shuttle buses will operate 24 hours for pedestrians and cyclists between both ends of the bridge during the closure period.
• Motorists are being directed to use the Mersey Gateway Bridge as an alternative route while filming takes place.
• The production is being carried out by Mammoth Productions in coordination with Halton Borough Council and the Liverpool Film Office.
• Local residents in Runcorn and Widnes have received letters confirming the closure for what is believed to be a BBC drama titled Hercule.

Halton Council (Liverpool standard) July 24, 2026 – Widnes and Runcorn are at the centre of a significant transport disruption this weekend as uk/local/halton-council/">Halton Council implements a full closure of Queensway and key sections of the Silver Jubilee Bridge to facilitate a major film production. The closure, which began at 9.30am on Friday, July 24, and is scheduled to remain in place until 7pm on Sunday, July 26, affects one of the most critical transport links between the two towns. Officials have confirmed that the road closure is specifically for a filming event, with alternative routes and pedestrian shuttle services established to mitigate the impact on local commuters and residents.

Why Are Queensway and Silver Jubilee Bridge Closed This Weekend?

The Silver Jubilee Bridge and Queensway are closed this weekend to enable a film crew to shoot scenes for an upcoming production on the bridge and surrounding areas. As reported by local journalists covering the story, Mammoth Productions is the company behind the filming and has been working closely with Halton Borough Council and the Liverpool Film Office to secure all necessary permits and permissions. The closure order, dated July 2, 2026, and signed by T. Gibbs, Director of Planning and Transportation at Halton Council, specifies that the maximum duration of the order is three days from the date it comes into effect.

According to the official traffic notice, during such times and to such extent as shall from time to time be indicated by traffic signs, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to enter or proceed in or along the road, and no person shall during the works period enter or proceed in or along the road. The notice further states that suitably signed alternative routes will be provided and shuttle buses will be in operation for pedestrians and cyclists. For further information, the council has provided a contact number: 07891786654.

What Alternative Routes Are Available During the Bridge Closure?

Motorists looking to cross the Mersey during the closure period are being directed to use the Mersey Gateway Bridge as an alternative route. The official notice confirms that suitably signed alternative routes will be in place to guide traffic around the affected areas. For pedestrians and cyclists, a 24-hour replacement bus service will be operating between both ends of the bridge for anyone needing to cross during the weekend. This shuttle service is designed to ensure that non-motorised transport users can still traverse the bridge area despite the closure to vehicular traffic.

The closure affects Queensway and sections of the Silver Jubilee Bridge, with the order coming into effect on July 24, 2026. The maximum duration of the order is three days, running from 9.30am on Friday, July 24, to 7pm on Sunday, July 26. Traffic signs will indicate the extent of the closure at any given time, and motorists are advised to follow these signs and use the designated alternative routes.

Which Production Is Filming on the Silver Jubilee Bridge?

It is assumed that the filming is for an upcoming BBC drama named Hercule, starring Edward Bluemel as Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective. The letter sent to residents states that Mammoth Productions will be filming scenes for an upcoming feature film on the Silver Jubilee Bridge. The production company confirmed they are working closely with Halton Borough Council and the Liverpool Film Office to secure all of the necessary permits and permissions for filming.

As reported by journalists at Runcorn and Widnes World, residents across Runcorn and Widnes have been receiving letters confirming the closure of Silver Jubilee Bridge and surrounding roads. The letter states the filming is for an upcoming feature film, though specific details about the production have not been officially confirmed beyond the assumption that it relates to the BBC drama Hercule. Filming is due to take place this summer across the Liverpool City Region, according to the local reporting.

How Long Will the Silver Jubilee Bridge Remain Closed?

The Silver Jubilee Bridge will be closed from 9.30am on Friday, July 24, until 7pm on Sunday, July 26, to enable filming to take place. The official traffic notice confirms the closure is for a filming event and will be in place between 09.30 on July 24, 2026, to 19.00 on July 26, 2026. The maximum duration of the order is three days from the date the order comes into effect, which was July 24, 2026.

The closure affects both Queensway and sections of the Silver Jubilee Bridge, with the order coming into effect on July 24, 2026. Halton Council has confirmed that the closure will last through the weekend, with shuttle buses for pedestrians and cyclists operating throughout the period. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and use the Mersey Gateway Bridge as an alternative route.

What Are Local Residents Saying About the Closure?

Residents across Runcorn and Widnes have been receiving letters confirming the closure of Silver Jubilee Bridge and surrounding roads across the weekend in question. The letter, sent by Mammoth Productions, confirms the filming schedule and the need for the bridge closure. Local journalists have reported on the resident notifications, noting that the community has been given advance notice of the disruption.

The official traffic notice, dated July 2, 2026, provides contact information for residents seeking further details about the closure. T. Gibbs, Director of Planning and Transportation at Halton Council, signed the notice, which outlines the closure details and alternative arrangements. The notice specifies that suitably signed alternative routes will be provided and shuttle buses will be in operation for pedestrians and cyclists.

Background of the Development

The Silver Jubilee Bridge, which connects Runcorn and Widnes across the River Mersey, has a long history as a vital transport link in the region. The bridge has been used for various filming productions in the past due to its distinctive architecture and scenic location. The current closure represents a coordinated effort between Mammoth Productions, Halton Borough Council, and the Liverpool Film Office to facilitate a major filming project while maintaining essential transport services through shuttle buses and alternative routing.

The traffic order was formally issued on July 2, 2026, giving residents and businesses nearly three weeks’ notice before the closure came into effect. This advance notification allowed local authorities to prepare alternative routes and shuttle services, while also giving residents time to plan their travel arrangements accordingly. The involvement of the Liverpool Film Office indicates that this production is part of a broader strategy to attract film and television productions to the Liverpool City Region, which has become an increasingly popular location for major productions.

Predictions for Future Impact on Local Communities

This development could affect local commuters and businesses in the Runcorn and Widnes areas by establishing a precedent for future filming-related closures on major transport infrastructure. The successful coordination between the production company, local council, and film office may encourage more productions to utilise the Silver Jubilee Bridge and other regional landmarks, potentially leading to more frequent temporary closures.

For local residents and businesses, the shuttle bus service and alternative routing arrangements set a template for how future filming closures could be managed to minimise disruption. The three-day closure period, while significant, demonstrates that major infrastructure can be temporarily closed for filming purposes while maintaining essential pedestrian and cyclist connections through dedicated shuttle services. If the production proves successful, it may lead to increased interest from other production companies in filming on the Silver Jubilee Bridge and other regional transport infrastructure, potentially bringing economic benefits to the area through location fees and local employment opportunities.