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Friday 23 Jul 2021

All under one roof: rail workers revive Cumbrian visitor attraction

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: North West

Thousands of pounds have been spent making repairs to a Cumbrian Coast line station building which is home to a popular visitor attraction.

Network Rail has invested £30,000 to improve the roof at Millom station where the Millom Heritage and Arts Centre is based.

A leaking roof has now been fixed meaning that the much-loved attraction is ready to welcome back visiting tourists and rail passengers in time for the peak summer season.

The centre has a local social and industrial history museum, an educational rail facility, creative poetry and writing room, café, community ticket and travel information centre and a newly refurbished passenger waiting room.

Karen Hornby, head of performance and customer relations at Network Rail’s North West route, said: “When people think about the inside of a railway station, they may think of a waiting room and a ticket office. But as Millom station shows the space inside can offer so much more to the community.

“This is why I’m proud our £30,000 repairs to fix the roof will keep the Millom Heritage & Arts Centre open for business not just for the summer months, but all year round.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern said: "We would like to thank Network Rail for completing this work.  Millom Heritage & Arts Centre is something for visitors to the station, and everyone in the community to embrace, enjoy and be proud of.” 

Jade Hughes, Millom Heritage and Arts Centre trustee, said “We’re extremely grateful to Network Rail for coming to our rescue. This now enables us to carry on welcoming visitors from near and far.”

Warren Birch, Cumbrian Coast Line community rail partnership officer, said “This essential piece of work provides a stability to the building that will see Millom Heritage & Arts Centre flourish for many years to come.”

Millom station is located on the picturesque Cumbrian Coast line between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness.

This route boasts stunning views of West Cumbrian countryside, the Irish sea and enticing beaches.

Meanwhile passengers returning to the railway can travel in confidence with enhanced cleaning regimes in place.

Rail users are encouraged to wear a face covering while travelling if they can.