THE public is being asked for their views on the colour of a new boardwalk which will improve accessibility at one of Maryport’s seaside locations.

The new stretch of pathway being created by Cumberland Council will join the town’s promenade and harbourside crossing the sandy area known locally as La’al Harbour.

It will be made of a very strong glass-reinforced plastic material with a honeycomb structure so water won’t pool on it.

Structural engineers have designed it to be non-slip and it will be located above the tideline so will not be affected by the seawater unless there are very high tides.

Five colours are on offer – each of them widely available in case of future maintenance, and to ensure they are the most cost-effective for the Council.

The main strip of pathway will be edged in a different material for safety reasons to make it stand out from the surrounding sands.

The five colours are:

  • green
  • teak
  • sand
  • light grey
  • dark grey

Members of the public are being invited to vote for their favourite.

They can do this by visiting cumberland.gov.uk/maryport and following the links. The closing date for the consultation is 5pm on Sunday, August 5.

The Boardwalk is the latest regeneration project to begin in Maryport and is a small but key part of the projects which are happening there.

It will help link Christ Church, which will be the new location for the Maritime Museum, and the new Shipping Brow Gallery, along with the Wave Centre and new proposals being developed with the aim of revitalising the promenade and the harbourside.

A spokesman said: "It will also nicely tie the harbour to the Hadrian’s Cycleway and complement other cosmetic work going on in the town centre, like the Shopfront Scheme and the Paint the Town initiative."

The Boardwalk is part of the transformation of Maryport’s public realm using money from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.

Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, said: “I think the new Boardwalk is going to look great and I am so pleased it will improve accessibility at this pretty spot on Maryport’s waterfront.

"This will be benefiting residents and visitors alike for many years to come and hope we get a good response to this consultation.

"I look forward to seeing what the public will decide.”