Readers have been sharing their thoughts on the story covering the successful completion of Siddick Bridge.

The project – which began in November 2020 – was carried out by Carlisle-based Story Contracting, with funding from Cumbria County Council, Network Rail and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP), and will restore traffic in both directions of the bridge.

The bridge provides key access for thousands of vehicles transporting 500,000 tonnes of cargo to and from the Port of Workington each year.

The momentous occasion was marked with a special road opening yesterday (June 7), with Cumbria County Council chairman, Councillor Tony Markley, cutting the ribbon to declare one side of the bridge – and a new safe footbridge for pedestrians – officially open.

“It’s absolutely fantastic,” he said. “The opportunities this bridge will provide for the port and community, in terms of jobs, future development, and even encouraging businesses to relocate here is fantastic, and I’m so pleased to see the work completed.

“It’s taken a lot of years to get this project going and finished, and working together so well with Story, CLEP and Network Rail has been key in seeing it through.”

Here is what you had to say.

John Mitchell sees the bright side: "I never understood why this is so important but being aware of the facts I will admit that it's a great day for west Cumbria hope to see ferry's to the Isle of Man and Ireland in the future."

Ronald Smith isn't so optimistic: "That is just what the town needs better access to travellers, along with fly tippers.

"Money would have been better spent on getting rid of the rubbish down there, some that has been there for years. or just by getting Allerdale to do there job of keeping it clean and prosecuting the ones who don't."

Stuart Mortimer ponders: "£4,000,000 for that, about four times more than the income that I will get in my lifetime, makes you wonder where the money goes?"