WORKINGTON MP Mark Jenkinson has backed Allerdale Council’s bid to kickstart a multi-million pound project.

The council will this week submit a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund that, if successful, will support the delivery of the £9.1million Workington Gateway Project.

As part of the project work will be done on improvements to the Ramsay Brow/Hall Brow Junction that has been a point of contention for many years.

Mr Jenkinson is in full support of the bid, he said as well as allowing better access to the Port, it would also help congestion on the A596.

He said: “The bid needs my support and has my support that’s one of the conditions of the levelling up fund bid, that it should have support from the MP, which it has wholeheartedly.”

Speaking on what the bid, if successful could do for the town of Workington, Mr Jenkinson said: “It will re-shape the entrance to the town centre.

“It fits in really well with elements of the Workington Town Deal.

“It’s just another part of what Workington needs to be able to succeed, to unlock its potential.”

The MP feels that the best solution needs to be explored if the funding is to work to the best of its ability.

He said: “Without splitting the park further from the town we need to be able to make that turn with longer vehicles and remove the bottle-neck at Hall Brow, as well as planning a super crossing across Washington Street.

“That would make that access across that road and up to that part of town a little bit easier.”

A spokesman for Allerdale Borough Council, said: “Allerdale Borough Council will this week be submitting a bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support the delivery of the Workington Gateway Project.

“If successful, the £9.1m project, which has been developed alongside partners Cumbria County Council, will involve improvements to the Ramsay Brow/Hall Brow junction, public realm works and making improvements to Curwen Park’s access.”