Cumberland Council is urging members of the public to keep away from a section of the Oldside site in Workington as new fencing begins to be put in place ahead of work to clear the land for future development.
From Monday 9 March, a 10-acre area of the site will be fenced off and therefore no longer accessible to the public. The area to be fenced off encompasses the south of the site, closest to the Port of Workington, and bordering the main private access road through Oldside. The private access road will remain available for those who have permission to use it.
The work to clear land at Oldside is part of the wider Workington Gateway Scheme which will see land there and at the neighbouring Port of Workington prepared for future development. Earlier this year, work to demolish redundant infrastructure and remove hazardous materials and contaminants began on an area known as Tank Farm B at the port.
The programme is being funded by around £4.5 million in Government funding as part of the Workington Town Deal and being carried out by Thomas Armstrong Construction.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer said: “Once complete, this scheme will help pave the way for further inward investment in the area, creating jobs for local people and exciting opportunities for businesses. It is of vital importance to the local economy.
“While we know the Oldside area has historically been popular with people walking their dogs or carrying out other recreational activities, we must ask that people keep away from this part of the site for their own safety and to allow these works to be carried out as quickly as possible.”