A £1.2 million transport hub around the Maryport Railway Station is almost complete.

Cumbria county council transport portfolio holder Keith Little said the project is now entering the community stage.

A third shelter has been erected, more information boards are up, and both the electronic timetable and ticket dispenser are working.

The station has also been given a link with Maryport’s past.

A huge stone stands at the entrance, believed to be a stoop stone from the elegant Victorian station which once welcomed visitors to the town.

Jane Laskey, curator of the Senhouse Roman Museum said the stone is an impressive landmark.

Also, there are new boards giving information about Maryport’s history, including its important Roman history, which also show visitors who come by train to see what is on offer in the town.

“I can tell you that, although the stone and information boards have only been in a couple of days, they are already having an effect.

“We had someone come to the museum who had passed by Maryport on the train. He thought it looked lovely and was so intrigued by the stone and boards that he decided to come back and see what it was all about.”

The future of the station is also looking positive.

Promotions group Maryporters are in the process of adopting it.

Chairman, Debbie Wright, said there is a group willing to help plant it out and maintain it.

“The Maryporters involved include Gill Elliot who so impressed Cumbria in Bloom judges with her garden at sheltered accommodation in the town last year.”

But Miss Wright said Maryporters is keen to involve others in keeping the station beautiful.

“This is the first thing some people see when they arrive in the town. We want people to take pride int heir station and are inviting other youth and adult groups and organisations to join us in helping to keep it looking like a place people would want to visit,” she said.

The transport hub includes a 78-bay free parking lot which was opened in June last year.

Mr Little said he was delighted with the use it was getting: “It has proved there was a need, it is encouraging people to take the train and it is keeping Mealpot Road free of parked cars which was a major problem.”

The final project still needs to be signed off by Northern Rail but that is expected to be completed by Monday June 17 when an official opening ceremony will take place.