A £7 million contract for the creation of Millom’s Iron Line has been agreed.
Members of Cumberland Council’s executive have agreed to delegate to the director for corporate and transformation services to award the contract, which has an accepted price of £7,131,798.64, to Story Construction.
It is subject to the council getting planning permission and negotiating and agreeing an agreement for a lease, which will bind the council to grant a lease for up to 15 years following practical completion of the visitors’ centre, with an operator.
Council leader Mark Fryer thanked officers for their hard work on what he described as a really difficult project.
Councillor Bob Kelly (Millom, Labour), the environment and planning portfolio holder, agreed that officers had put in a lot of work to get the project to the latest stage.
He added: “This is the central issue that really meets the Government’s objective of encouraging economic development. Let’s get it through as quickly as we can.”
He moved the recommendations and he was seconded by Cllr Fryer and, when it was put to the vote, it was agreed.
The Iron Line project is part of the £29.3m Millom Town Deal programme.
A new planning application was submitted for the Iron Line project earlier this year..
The updated application replaced the previous submission in 2023 and has been shaped by feedback from the local community, key stakeholders, and statutory consultees, said Cumberland Council.
It added that the revised plans improved protection to environmentally sensitive areas to the site and remained true to the original vision of creating an inspiring, accessible coastal route around the Hodbarrow Nature Reserve.
The Iron Line aims to transform the sea wall and surrounding landscape into a space that promotes walking, cycling, nature, and heritage.
A new visitor centre will feature a café, group learning and event space, accessible toilets, and volunteer facilities.
It includes:
- 300,000 of existing parks/greenspace/outdoor space improved;
- 150,000sq m of rehabilitated land;
- 7.5km of improved or new walking and cycling paths;
- A restored heritage building – Towsley Windmill;
- A new cultural facility – the visitors centre;
- 80 new car parking spaces;
- Six new art installations;
- 120 trees planted
Eight jobs are expected to be created at the Iron Line and up to 26 jobs supported during its construction.
