B5204
| B5204 | ||||
| Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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| From: | Rainhill (SJ493922) | |||
| To: | Earlestown (SJ559948) | |||
| Distance: | 5.3 miles (8.5 km) | |||
| Meets: | B5413, A570, A569, B5419, A572 | |||
| Highway Authorities | ||||
| Traditional Counties | ||||
| Route outline (key) | ||||
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Route
The B5204 is an urban B-road in south Lancashire.
The road starts at a T-junction with the B5413 just outside of Rainhill, near St Helens, and heads east. Soon after the start, you pass one of several major changes that have occurred along this road, within fifteen years: the first is a new housing estate, making use of land previously used for industrial purposes.
After the housing estate, you reach the second change: a roundabout with the A570 St Helens Linkway. This particular roundabout can get quite congested at peak periods. Immediately after the roundabout, the third change is immediately visible, which is a major distribution depot for the Co-op (built for Somerfield). Soon afterwards, the fourth change, the Sutton High Sports College, is immediately visible. Over the past few years, the school has seen a huge increase in size since it first opened. Across the road, the fifth change can be seen, which is the Lea Green railway station. Outside the railway station, the B5204 reaches a T junction with the A569. To stay on the B5204, you have to turn right for a short multiplex with the A569, until you reach a roundabout, where you need to turn left to return to the B5204.
The road now passes through the Sutton Leach suburb of St Helens, where there is a double mini-roundabout. After the mini-roundabouts, you pass under the former St Helens - Widnes railway line. The B5204 passes through two industrial estates, then turns to the right as there is a break in the industrial landscape. Soon after this, the sixth, and most major, change is apparent on the left. It is 'The Pastures', a huge new housing estate, built on the site of Bold Power Station and Colliery. The B5204 now comes to a sharp 'S' bend, with an industrial estate on your left. There are several tightening corners, and then, again on your left, there is a major local landmark, the Burtonwood brewery, after which the B5204 gains traffic calming measures.
The B5204 then enters the small village of Collins Green, where it passes under a railway line. After the railway bridge, the B5204 continues northwards, until it reaches a T Junction with the A572, just outside of Earlestown.
History
Originally the B5204 ran between the A570 (now A569) and A572. It was quickly extended west to Rainhill, although the road it ended on was not originally the B5413.
Original Author(s): Dave 908