Cumbrian firm wins £10m Millom Iron Line contract

A Cumbrian firm has been appointed to design and build the £10 million Iron Line in Millom.

Part of the Millom Town Deal programme, it is hoped the Iron Line will deliver an accessible coastal corridor.

Story Contracting have won the bid for the work, and will work with the town deal board and Cumberland Council on the scheme.

The £10 million Iron Line project is set to create a pathway across the RSPB Hodbarrow Reserve, featuring more than seven kilometres of walking and cycling routes.

It also includes a welcome centre with café, multi-purpose events room, and parking for around 80 vehicles.

Cumberland Council said that once complete, the Iron Line project will deliver:

• Over 300,000 square metres of improved greenspace and outdoor areas
• 150,000 square metres of rehabilitated land
• 7.5 kilometres of improved or new walking and cycling paths
• Restoration of Hodbarrow Beacon,
• A new community hub welcome centre
• 80 additional parking spaces
• Six art installations along the route
• 120 trees planted
• Eight new jobs at the welcome centre, with up to 26 jobs supported during construction.

David Savage, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “This appointment represents a significant step forward for the Iron Line. We are excited to see Story Contracting join the team to bring this inspiring vision to life.

“The Iron Line will display our town’s beautiful coastline and create spaces for community connection, recreation, and culture. We are making real progress toward the kind of positive change that will have lasting benefits for Millom and Haverigg.

“This marks an exciting milestone as the Iron Line, part of the Millom Town Deal programme, moves forward from concept to reality.”

Millom Town Deal secured £20.6 million in November 2022 with an additional £8.7 million in match funding and aims to foster economic growth, health, and community well-being across the area.

This funding will support three other projects – Activating Community Health, Reactivating Heritage Buildings, and Connecting Millom and Haverigg.

Cumberland Council is inviting interest from potential operators to manage the day-to-day operations of the new welcome centre and café. A full operator procurement process will launch soon.