Cumbrian flood rail service 'to receive extra funding'

Date: 22/12/2009

An additional £750,000 has been earmarked by the government to extend the operation of the free train service set up last month to help Cumbrian residents affected by the floods.

The service runs once an hour and was set up in the aftermath of the floods to create a link for Workington residents who were cut off from the rest of the town when the floods hit the area.

A total of £380,000 was initially invested into creating the hourly train service and the extra £750,000 will allow the service to run until May next year.

The service runs from Workington to a new temporary station called Workington North, which was built by Network Rail shortly after the flooding. The line then continues to Flimby and Maryport.

The new station has two platforms, a waiting room and footbridge and was built in six days.

Transport minister Sadiq Khan commented on the free train service: "These additional services have helped to reunite the two sides of the town - it has enabled residents to visit family and friends, made it easier for children to get to school and helped people to get to work."