Plans to transform a popular Cumbrian beauty spot into an accessible visitor attraction could lead to more than 100,000 visits every year, new data shows.
The Iron Line project is one of four schemes being developed under the Millom Town Deal.
Working alongside Copeland Borough Council, the Millom Town Deal Board secured an offer of £20.6 million in July 2021 for projects it identified as local priorities.
Every project is subject to a business case that has been put together over a period of months by a team of experts.
The business case for the Iron Line shows it could attract 100,000 visitors each year.
The project proposes to sensitively enhance the unique nature reserve at RSPB Hodbarrow to unlock the area’s untapped potential.
The business case says the proposed improvements will also have direct benefits on the health and wellbeing of local residents as the area is enhanced to make it more accessible for walking and cycling.
There are also plans for a new welcome centre that would incorporate a café/bar, retail space and events room along with adjacent parking.
Robert Morris-Eyton, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “The benefits of the Iron Line are varied and many and it has been very pleasing to see the project develop over the last 12 months.
“It represents a significant opportunity to harness the beauty and uniqueness of the RSPB Hodbarrow Nature Reserve and build upon it to deliver a significant boost to the health, prosperity and destination status of Millom and Haverigg.
“The projected visitor numbers are very encouraging and the focus now is on delivering a full business case for the project to the government later this summer.”
The scheme will also incorporate upgrades to the historic landmark buildings alongside the incorporation of new public art installations.
The other three projects are:
Activating community health: The creation of a new, multi-purpose community and leisure hub to provide a range of facilities including a swimming pool and 3G pitch.
Reactivating Heritage Buildings – A proposal to significantly enhance Millom Town Centre by bringing derelict, vacant and underused heritage buildings back into active use.
Connected Millom and Haverigg – Improving Millom’s transport network to create a gateway to the town at the railway station, while transforming cycling and walking infrastructure in both Millom and Haverigg.
The Millom Town Deal projects have now reached the assurance stage which means they are undergoing final assessment before being submitted to the government later this year.
Further details for each of the projects will be made available after the assurance stage is complete when people will be able to comment on the proposals.
