Victorian footbridge gets well-deserved makeover in Cumbria

Network Rail is investing £450,000 to restore the railway crossing at Harrington station on the picturesque route between Workington and Whitehaven.

The Victorian stairs and overbridge will be strengthened, and the steel will be grit blasted and fully repainted in its heritage colours by contractor Taziker.

Reece Holland, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “Harrington station’s 19th century footbridge is a key historic feature of the station and this major investment will ensure it remains safe and reliable for passengers for decades to come.

“Whenever we carry out work like this we take great care to make sure it’s done sensitively and is in keeping with the railway’s heritage. This wouldn’t have been possible without the close partnership with Community Rail Cumbria to make sure that the paint work is in-keeping with the original design.”

Passengers will soon be able to enjoy the team’s hard work, as the bridge is set to be back in position in just 12 weeks, but in the meantime a temporary footbridge is in place to allow access to both platforms.

As part of the investment, the Victorian stairs and overbridge will be strengthened, and the steel will be grit blasted and fully repainted in its heritage colours by contractor Taziker.

Regular maintenance has kept the 19th century railway crossing in good condition over the years, but the bridge is now in need of a complete restoration.

Warren Birch, community rail partnership officer from Community Rail Cumbria, said: “Community Rail Cumbria welcomes the recent investment to Harrington railway station and the benefits this will bring to rail passengers and local residents, these ongoing improvements are crucial to the Cumbrian Coast line and the towns and villages it serves.

“It’s been a pleasure to work in collaboration with the station adopters from West House and contractors Taziker, creating a biodiversity area within the railway station that will start to flourish in the spring of 2023.”

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