Workington is set to receive £10.6 million to demolish a popular pub and create a town gateway to ‘level up’ the area.
Allerdale Borough Council working with Cumbria County Council and West House successfully submitted an application to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund in August.
This morning, the government announced the town will be provided with £9.6 million through the fund, with a further £1 million coming from the three partner organisations.
The plans include widening Hall Brow and the Ramsay Brow junction onto the A596 – which will mean the Henry Curwen pub will need to be demolished.
The proposal was initially put forward as the junction is a pinch-point for traffic in the town and HGVs travelling to the Port of Workington. The plans aim to increase highway capacity and reduce congestion.
Further included in the plans are improvements to the local cycling and walking facilities in the area with an east/west cycle route through Hall Park and better crossings on Hall Brow and Ramsey Brow to Hall Park.
The council added that the developments will also making the park more attractive and accessible. This includes improved lighting for Workington Hall, and the creation of a Walled Garden Social Enterprise Centre in partnership with charity West House.
The proposed walled garden will create a centre that provides training and employability skills to adults with learning disabilities and will support local community groups and schools through the provision of horticultural activities within on-site gardening and wildlife areas as well as the installation of a new café.
Councillor Mike Johnson, leader of Allerdale Borough Council, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that our bid for Workington to the Levelling Up Fund has been successful. This money will not only go towards improvements to key infrastructure in the town including better access to the port, but will also mean we’ll be able to realise our ambitions for Hall Park.
“I was pleased to meet with Dehenna Davison, MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, in December where I was able to stress how important this funding is to the future development of the town.
“This investment is in addition to the almost £25m which is being pumped into the Workington economy through the Towns Fund. Together it means Allerdale will be passing on a very strong legacy for the development of Workington to the new Cumberland Council when it takes over in April.
“Of course, I’d also like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point, and look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition.”
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, added: “I’m delighted the application for funding has been successful. The planned improvements to our highways network at the Ramsay Brow junction and Hall Brow will make a big difference to local road users in these areas and will support development at the Port of Workington.
“I was especially pleased to see that the proposals include plans to invest in cycling and walking in the town as encouraging active travel is also a key priority for the county council as part of our Local Cycling and Walking Plans for Workington.”
James Cox, CEO of West House said, “We are absolutely delighted that the application has been successful. This project has been in the pipeline for some time so to see if coming to fruition is amazing for all involved.
“It will allow us to not only really develop our social enterprises, but more importantly, enable us to support even more people in our community with learning disabilities. We look forward to starting work on the project with all involved soon.”
Workington MP Mark Jenkinson said: “I am delighted to learn that our Workington Gateway project has been approved by the Levelling Up Fund, delivering a further £9.6m of government funding.
“This was a key pledge of my 2019 election campaign, and I am very happy to be delivering it. Both of these investments will improve our offer locally and make it easier for business and residents. I look forward to both of these projects being delivered and the positive impact that the successful Levelling up Funding will have in my constituency.”
