Today (9 March), the footbridge at Harrington station reopened after a four-month restoration project. This has secured the future of the Victorian railway footbridge on the Cumbrian coast line between Workington and Whitehaven.

Network Rail invested £450,000 to strengthen and fully repaint the original structure back to its Victorian splendour.

The work, which began in October 2022, was planned over two phases of overnight shifts when trains weren’t running to avoid disrupting train passengers.

The six-tonne bridge was moved using a hundred-tonne crane and taken off site to be repaired and restored by specialist firm Taziker. On Saturday night, engineers lifted the new bridge in by crane for passengers to use from today.

Reece Holland, Network Rail scheme project manager, said: “It’s really important for Network Rail to protect and conserve structures on the railway network – like this one at Harrington and previous restorations at Flimby and Wigton – which give historic stations their unique charm and character.

“The vital investment now means the railway crossing will be safer and more reliable for passengers for generations to come.”

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “It’s fantastic that, in partnership with Network Rail, we are able to provide our customers with modern facilities without losing our proud railway heritage.

“The refurbished bridge is testament to the commitment of all in the rail industry to build for the future while respecting the past, and I’m delighted that our customers will be able to benefit from this painstaking work.”

Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, said: “I am pleased to see this important refurbishment work completed, giving this piece of Harrington’s railway heritage a new lease of life.

“I have always been a staunch defender of our heritage from the Duffield Beacon to Christ Church in Maryport. Indeed, the campaign to save Grade I listed Workington Hall was what encouraged me to get involved in politics in the first place.

“It is particularly welcome the fact that works to the bridge have been carried out with such obvious care and sensitivity.”