Workington North opens with shuttle train

Filed 30/11/09  

Train operator Northern Rail has started running a new shuttle service linking Workington and the newly constructed Workington North station.

The shuttle train, which is funded by the government and runs in addition to regular services on the Cumbrian coast line, will improve links between the two sides of Workington following the collapse and closure of road bridges in the recent severe flooding. It will call at Maryport, Flimby, Workington North and Workington.

Made up of three carriages, the free shuttle will be provided by Cumbrian rail freight operator DRS on behalf of Northern Rail. Trains will leave Workington at 0705; 0810; 0940; 1030; 1120; 1220; 1335; 1445; 1550; 1700; 1755 and 1850 on weekdays. From Maryport services depart at 0725; 0833; 1000; 1050; 1145; 1250; 1400; 1510; 1625; 1720; 1820 and 1915.

Network Rail has built a new halt at Workington North, which will serve the communities cut off on the north side of the River Derwent in Workington. Made out of scaffolding and planks of wood covered with a non-slip surface, the station has been assembled in six days and was due to be officially opened at 1100 on Monday (30 November).

At present the rail bridge across the River Derwent is the only fixed river crossing for 17 miles. In Workington the A597 Northside Bridge and a footbridge collapsed when the Derwent flooded in the early hours of 20 November.

The Calva Bridge was left seriously damaged and faces demolition. Around 1,000 telecoms cables have been diverted over the unaffected railway bridge nearby. Network Rail has a two-year lease on the Workington North site with the station expected to close once road links across the Derwent are restored.

Royal Engineers have begun assembling a 110-tonne Bailey Bridge-style footbridge which will provide a new Derwent crossing for pedestrians. The components are being taken to the town from a holding base at the Halton Camp in Lancashire and the crossing is expected to open next weekend.

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