23/5/2006 - Port of Workington charts course for nation's seaports

A government report is advising councils across England and Wales to use Cumbria County Council’s organisational changes at the Port of Workington as a blue-print for the future.

The report into the country’s municipal ports published this week by the Department for Transport recommends ‘that all local authorities carefully consider whether the experience of Cumbria County Council [at the Port of Workington] could bring similar benefits to their own ports.’

“An enormous amount of hard work has gone in to plotting a course for the Port of Workington that will ensure it plays an important part in the regeneration of West Cumbria for years to come. The formation of the Workington Harbour Board in 2005 has been a major factor in allowing to draw on the very best talents and skills that the public and private sectors have to offer,” said councillor Tim Heslop, the county council’s cabinet spokesman for the economy.

Bob Pointing, the chief executive of urban regeneration company West Lakes Renaissance, commented: “West Lakes Renaissance is delighted with the commitment of partners to implement changes to the way the port is managed and how investment decisions are taken.  With a vibrant new Workington Harbour Board, a Business Development Manager in place and a clear strategy for investment, West Cumbria has an important economic asset that clearly is the envy of other parts of the UK.”

“This is very good news. Progress has been made at the Port of Workington even quicker than we expected when we agreed to commit £1 million over four years and this has vindicated our decision to go into partnership with the County Council and others to help develop the port’s potential. Recent initiatives such as the recruitment of a commercial manager are helping to develop the port’s core business and tourism is playing an increasingly important role in the area’s economy. We hope to play our part in helping to develop that further,” said councillor Jim Musgrave, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council.

Janet Fallon, Chair of the Workington Harbour Board, said: "The fact that the Department for Transport has used the Port of Workington as an example of the way forward for Municipal Ports is testament to the continuing efforts of the port to become sustainable.  With continuing commitment and support from both Councils and West Lakes Renaissance the Harbour Board will aim to achieve its goals and hopefully make Workington a shining example to other Municipal Ports throughout the country."