THE firm behind a multi-million-pound restoration of a popular railway trail which was destroyed by flooding has won an award for its work.

Carlisle-based Cubby Construction was the main contractor on the Keswick to Threlkeld railway trail restoration and has clinched a Civil Engineering Contractors Association award for completing the development.

Tommy Cubby, managing director of Cubby Construction, said: “Winning this award from CECA NW for the Keswick to Threlkeld Trail is a major achievement given the projects we were up against.

"Cubby Construction would like to thank the Lake District National Park Authority, Capita, our sub-contractors and the local community who supported us throughout this project.

"Together, we were able to deliver it on time and on budget while contending with the unprecedented restrictions caused by Covid-19.

"We feel privileged to have been involved in such an iconic project for the local people who are now benefiting both physically and economically from the reopening of the trail."

The redeveloped trail was reopened last December, exactly five years after Storm Desmond hit Cumbria and the original route was destroyed.

Local schoolchildren from Threlkeld and St Herbert’s Primary Schools were the first through the Bobbin Mill tunnel, which reopened for the first time in nearly 50 years as part of the £7.9 million project to fully reconnect the route.

Speaking at the time, Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “This has been the most ambitious construction project we’ve undertaken as a National Park Authority.

"It’s taken five years to complete due to the scale, but we’re thrilled to be able to reopen the trail on the anniversary of Storm Desmond.

"I’d like to thank all of our funders and project partners for their input and the local community for their initial fundraising and for their patience whilst the work was ongoing.

"I very much look forward to using the trail and seeing others make use of this fantastic safe, local route."