Plans to create a £4.5 million clean energy and logistics hub in West Cumbria are set to take a step forward.
Contractors are about to move onto the Oldside site at the Port of Workington to establish the ground conditions ahead of future development.
Cumberland Council is managing the project, which is being funded by the Government as part of the Workington Town Deal.
The land has already been assessed for pollutants which could be a legacy of its industrial past.
New investigations will check the content and stability of the land and be used to inform the design of a land remediation scheme.
The plans for Oldside’s clean energy and logistics hub is a long term plan to improve the key coastal site.
It will allow additional trade and cargo handling at the Port of Workington, with the potential to generate rental income from property lettings at Oldside.
The land is owned by the Port of Workington and Cumberland Council.
In addition to the clean energy initiative, the aim is to improve the rail link into the port with the creation of a multi modal hub and lay down area for temporary storage of goods.
Siddick Bridge, a £4 million project, opened in 2022, giving greater vehicular access over the Cumbrian Coast Line railway.
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said: “I am pleased to see the next steps get underway on this ambitious scheme for Oldside and the Port of Workington.
“It is a key location for us as we strive for cleaner energy and better logistics access in Cumberland, improving the area’s environment and economy for generations to come.”
