27/04/04 - Full steam ahead for port study

Cumbria and Allerdale Councils along with West Lakes Renaisance will jointly fund a major Development Study for the Port of Workington. The study, part of the Workington Port Masterplan, will examine the best way to secure a prosperous economic future for the Port. It will also build on recent work to look at the best way of developing the Port as part of the Council’s Invest to Save and Improve initiative.

Councillor Rex Toft, Leader of Cumbria County Council says:

“We need to establish how to maximise investment for the Port as well as the best way to manage day to day operations through a new Port Authority. The study will also look at how any developments at the Port can help support the wider regeneration of the Workington area. We have the beginnings of an excellent partnership between ourselves, Allerdale Borough Council and West Lakes Renaisance. The Port has serious problems and is in urgent need of major investment. We are all working to unlock the potential the Port offers and build on the excellent work currently undertaken by everyone at the Port.” 

Councillor Jim Musgrave, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council says:

"I am very conscious of the importance of the Port of Workington, especially in relation to the major regeneration activity we have planned for Workington such as the new town centre development and exciting ideas for sport and leisure provision in the Derwent Valley area.  I am also keen to explore ideas for a cruise liner terminal at Workington to help develop Cumbria's tourism potential. I look forward to working closely with the County Council and West Lakes Renaissance to bring great benefits to West Cumbria."

Investment advisers Gillespies have been commissioned to undertake the, the results of which will be available towards the end of the summer. The study costing in excess of £150,000 will be met by £50,000 from the County Council’s New Vision budget, specifically set up to support urban regeneration projects in West Cumbria and Furness; £10,000 from Allerdale Borough Council and the remainder from West Lakes Renaisance.