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Thursday 13 May 2021

Port of Workington time-lapse captures railway bridge overhaul

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North West & Central

Impressive time-lapse footage has been released showing it’s ‘out with the old’ and ‘in with the new’ at the Port of Workington in Cumbria.

For HD quality time-lapse download click link on the left

Network Rail released video footage today (Thursday 13 May) showing diggers demolishing Siddick bridge and using a crane to install its replacement between 1-3 May as part of a multimillion pound Great North Rail Project investment.

Engineers worked over the three-day railway closure to remove and replace the old stone bridge before trains needed to run again on Tuesday 4 May.

The next phase will see the new concrete bridge completed and surfaced ready for the thousands of vehicles needing access to the important port - approximately half a million tonnes of cargo is transported in and out of Workington each year.

For HD quality B-ROLL download click link on the left

The precast concrete replacement bridge will also benefit rail passengers - it will need less maintenance, meaning fewer future railway closures.

When complete the major investment will restore traffic in both directions.

In the meantime a temporary level crossing over the railway has been installed to allow continued access to the Port of Workington throughout construction.

Roisin Nelson, sponsor for Network Rail, said: “This is an exciting milestone for the project and means that rail passengers, freight operators and port users in Workington are one step closer to having a better and more reliable railway bridge.

“The Great North Rail Project investment will not only secure the future of the railway but will also hugely benefit the Port of Workington and its businesses and customers.”

The work has been carefully planned to cause minimal disruption to passenger and freight services.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: "The engineering work at the Port of Workington is a fantastic example of the work being done by the Great North Rail Project to improve the region's railways. 

"As an industry we continue to work together to keep disruption to passengers to a minimum.”

Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “I’m pleased to see work progressing on site as the current bridge is stifling growth at the port. The replacement road and footbridge will be a huge improvement and is a vital part of the redevelopment of the port, helping to get people and goods where they need to be, as well as boosting transport and connectivity links.

“By working in partnership with Network Rail, the Port of Workington and local businesses and residents, the project to redevelop this site will benefit the local community for generations to come.”

The major project began at the end of 2020 and is due to be complete this summer.

The £4m+ work is being funded by the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Cumbria County Council and Network Rail, with work carried out by local firm, Story Contracting.

Steve Curl, board member for transport and infrastructure at the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Cumbria LEP is delighted to  have contributed £2 million of Local Growth Funds to this strategically important project. The eagerly-awaited replacement for the old stone bridge and the new footbridge will in turn improve access for vehicles to the Port and enhance pedestrian safety. Better connectivity between the Port , Cumbria and the North’s road network will significantly strengthen the county’s economy."

Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, said: “This is a really exciting time for Oldside and the Port of Workington. This much-needed upgrade dovetails perfectly with our plan to ramp up use of the port, and to open up huge tracts of employment land on Oldside.

“I would just like to put on record my thanks to Network Rail and Story Contracting for perfect execution of the project, to all of the stakeholders that played their part in making it happen and to my constituents and local businesses for their patience throughout.”

Cllr Mike Johnson, leader of the Allerdale Borough Council, said: "It's great to see the progress on this project going so well, which is a credit to everyone involved. Completion of this enhanced entrance to the Port of Workington will undoubtedly make the area more attractive to inward investors and is an integral part of our future regeneration plans for Workington." 

More information about the project can be found at www.networkrail.co.uk/Workington