Rail passengers and motorists are being advised about changes to journeys while a railway bridge is rebuilt at the Port of Workington.

Network Rail is replacing Siddick bridge which provides key access to the important Cumbrian port.

Thousands of vehicles transport around 500,000 tonnes of cargo in and out of Workington each year.

The next phase of the project will see the old road bridge demolished and a new one installed.

During the work motorists will need to follow a road diversion from Thursday 22 April to Sunday 6 June 2021.

So traffic can still access the port, a temporary level crossing has been created to allow vehicles to cross the railway.

A new footbridge and service bridge already built will open to the public tomorrow (Thursday 22 April) so pedestrians can safely cross.

Roisin Nelson, sponsor for Network Rail, said: “This major bridge upgrade secures both the future of the railway and operations at the Port of Workington for its businesses and customers. Siddick bridge will be entirely replaced with a modern structure which will mean more reliable journeys for passengers and freight on the railway below, with the new bridge needing much less maintenance in the future. I’d like to thank port users and local people for their patience.”

Meanwhile, the railway will need to be closed for the old bridge to come down over the early May bank holiday, between Saturday 1 and Monday 3 May 2021.

Network Rail is advising passengers to travel either side of the bank holiday weekend on Friday 30 April and Tuesday 4 May.