A railway footbridge on the West Cumbrian coast line has been removed so it can be restored in a £450,000 scheme.
Network Rail is investing the cash to revamp the Harrington station footbridge, between Workington and Whitehaven.
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.
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, Network Rail said.
Last weekend it was lifted away for the 12-week repairs to take place in St Helens 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.”
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.”
A temporary footbridge has been installed while work takes place.
Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “It’s great to see a historic feature of the station being so sensitively restored. Along with our customers, I look forward to seeing the much-loved footbridge return to the Cumbrian Coast line very soon.”
No trains will be disrupted while the work is carried out and the footbridge is set to be reinstalled in January.
