Residents in Maryport will soon see work getting underway on £2.44million worth of improvement to public space in and around the town.
Contractors working for Cumbria County Council will be setting up on site from Monday, February 11th, to prepare the way for five schemes following consultations and a public exhibition of the plans in November last year.
Workington-based builders Stobbarts are carrying out the works which have been funded through the North West Development Agency's Land Reclamation Programme.
The aim is to complete the all the projects within 20 weeks of starting.
The schemes are:
Derwent Corridor
The project is to increase public access to areas of underused public open space, through the provision of routes for disabled and cycle access along the River Derwent, Workington. The funding will provide routes useable by cyclists and those in wheelchairs, and for use by people with prams and pushchairs. It will also improve the start/end of the Coast to Coast (C2C) long distance cycle route. It will provide environmental improvements which will be of benefit to local people as well as tourists.
Budget £500,000.
Maryport Promenade
To improve Maryport promenade to provide a suitable surface for cyclists, wheelchairs, prams, pushchairs and mobility scooters. To create an improved cycle link from the promenade past Bank End Farm to join the by way, which links to Maryport Golf Club and connects to the B5300. The promenade ends abruptly at grid reference X=304792 Y=538387. This project will enable cyclists to travel north on the B5300 to Allonby (following the Hadrian’s Cycle Route).
To providing a safe circular route by creating a short stretch of pavement at the junction of the by way and the B5300 up to the cemetery and connect to the existing footpath back towards Maryport.
To create a cycle link to the Senhouse Museum, improve the quality of the amenity grassland and establish a new wildflower meadow.
Budget £400,000.
Maryport - Mote Hill
The informal pathways around the Mote Hill site are overgrown and in poor condition, making them unsafe for walkers and unsuitable for wheelchair users. One of the aims of this project is to formalise and widen the pathways (to 2m width), making them safe for pedestrians. Wheelchair access will be possible up to and including the two viewing platforms. The gradient on the west side of the hill is too steep for wheelchair access and a stepped access will be established. The path will connect Mill Street Car Park, the town centre (via Well Lane). Along the pathway, appropriate street furniture, signage, entrance areas, fencing, gates, interpretation and bollards will be installed.
Mote Hill viewing areas –With views across Maryport and out to sea, this is an ideal site for two viewing platforms; each having a different theme relating to the history of the area. Seating areas and interpretation boards will be positioned in and around the viewing platforms.
Quay/River bank area and links to Well Lane - The pathway along the River Ellen, connecting to Well Lane, will be improved. This path will be able to withstand being inundated by the River Ellen and will still allow for vehicle access. This will establish a formal connection between Mote Hill and the town centre.
Budget £400,000.
River Ellen Corridor
To create a new cycleway from Maryport Station (east) around the scenic meander of the River Ellen and provide connections to Destination Maryport, employment areas, the Coastal Park and Harbour (west). To plant trees/shrubs, add entrance features/street furniture along the length of the cycle route. Grassland will be reinstated on a piece of hard standing.
It will improve links between the east side of Maryport to the Coastal Park/ Destination Maryport/ Harbour/ Employment areas to the west and provide improved connection to the West Cumbria Cycleway Network.
Budget £400,000.
Maryport Allotments
To remediate the site of the Sandy Lonning Allotments owned by Maryport Town Council. Work has already taken place on the removal of derelict pigeon lofts and sheds together with some fencing and this scheme will remove more of the surface contamination such as broken glass, pieces of metals and fly-tipping. Import sub and top soil for new allotments, pathways, landscaping and improved drainage.
Budget £240,000.
Hutton Place Maryport
To improve the access into Maryport Marina and the harbourside attractions by straightening out an unattractive and substandard highway. It will also provide landscaping to screen the nearby Glasson Industrial Estate.
Budget £500,000.
ENDS
Media enquiries to Justin Hawkins, Media Officer on 01228 606334