Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port in the Metropolitan Borough of Halton, Cheshire, England, and a member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. In 2011, Halton's population was recorded to be 127,500, with Runcorn alone being 70,000. The town is on the southern bank of the River Mersey, where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the north across the Mersey is the town of Widnes. Upstream and to the northeast is the town of Warrington and downstream to the west is the city of Liverpool.