Plans for a £1.9 million transport hub for Maryport are expected to be approved today.

The joint initiative between Cumbria County Council, Northern Rail and Network Rail will include the creation of a 70-bay car park near the railway station, upgraded facilities for rail passengers and the creation of a new sports pitch on Allerdale council's unused tennis courts.

It follows a £3.9 million hub in Workington where a new car park opened just before Christmas for limited use.

Local county councillor Keith Little said the county's development panel was expected to pass the plans for Maryport today and work would begin almost immediately.

He added that work along the West Coast is expected to have an impact throughout the area.

Mr Little said fares on Northern Rail have actually decreased slightly, bucking the national trend.

“At the same time it is investing heavily in the area providing a service that we expect will be more convenient for everyone, including Sellafield workers.

“ We hope it will reduce traffic on the West Cumbrian roads, especially the A595 which has a vast amount of traffic.

“Locally the Maryport car park will mean there will be no more cars along Mealpot Road which will make the road easieeasier to navigate.”

The upgrade of Maryport station has already happened with new heated shelters and the establishment of an electronic noticeboard and automatic ticket sales machine.

“We are aware that there have been some problems with the noticeboard. I am meeting representatives of Northern Rail and Network Rail next week and expect these to be ironed out in the near future.”

It is expected that other small stations along the route will also get electronic noticeboards.

Flimby company, Thomas Armstrong, has won the contract for the work which will include the establishment of a pedestrian walkway for people to access the town centre.

Work is expected to begin next month.

Debbie Wright, chairwoman of the Love Maryport Town Team, said under new tenders, Maryport is to be advertised as a rail destination.

“This will be so good for the town. If visitors can get here more easily and if the station, their point of entry, is well kept, it will encourage them to stay.

“Getting cars of Mealpot Road will also be a huge benefit to the town and a footpath into the centre must be a help to retailers.”

She said the Love Maryport team had held clean-ups at the station and it was something she was particularly keen to see happen again in the future.