Network Rail is building a temporary station to provide an emergency transport link on the Cumbrian Coast.
Work is underway on a new halt with two platforms on the north side of the River Derwent at Workington.
NR said it had found a site for a temporary station on waste land almost 1km north of the existing station. It will reconnect the halves of the town which have been cut off by flood damage to foot and road bridges, and should be open by the end of the week.
Robin Gisby, who is NR director operations and customer services, said: “We have a wealth of experience and engineering expertise that we felt should be put at the disposal of the Cumbrian authorities. Our people will work round the clock to build a temporary rail station, north of the river, to help re-connect the town and ease people’s travel problems.”
Network Rail has agreed a two-year lease of land owned by Allerdale Borough Council off the A596 immediately north of St Helens Business Park, opposite the Plaza Cinema. The two-platform station, linked by a footbridge, will have lighting, a waiting room and a gravel car park, and will be built and ready for its first passengers by the weekend. Trains will be strengthened by Northern wherever possible, and from the end of this week all trains on the Cumbrian Coast line will stop at the new station -- to be known as Workington North. Network Rail said the arrangement will continue 'as long as needed', and that buses will also be diverted to serve it.
Route director Jo Kaye said: “Through aerial surveys we identified several potential sites for a temporary station. The council, despite being under considerable pressure, worked with us to quickly identify the best solution and a site was chosen. Work will start tonight and we will have the station open just as soon as we can."
Meanwhile, Network Rail has been carrying out emergency inspections on rail bridges in Cumbria. It said all had been passed as safe for a normal train service.