Network Rail has extended the length of the platforms at the temporary Workington North railway station to meet passenger demand and the longer trains now calling there.

Jo Kaye, Network Rail’s route director, said: “When I originally conceived the idea of building Workington North, most of the trains had only one or two carriages, so we built the platforms long enough to accommodate them.

“The huge demand from passengers wanting to travel means that additional three-carriage trains have been introduced on a shuttle service between Workington and Maryport. We have responded by extending the temporary platforms by a further 23 metres.”

The shuttle trains call at Workington North and Flimby en route, and travel between the four stations is free, courtesy of train operator Northern Rail.

Matt Beeton, area director, Northern Rail added: “Services between Maryport and Workington continue to be very popular and the platform extensions will make it easier for passengers to get on and off trains.”

Not only have the platforms been lengthened, but the car park has also been enlarged. Not knowing what the demand would be to park at the station, Network Rail originally used 240 tonnes of stone for the car park surface, but that proved to be not enough. Roads near the station were becoming clogged with cars belonging to passengers who could not park at the station

1,000 tonnes of stone have now been used, virtually trebling the size of the car park and providing in the region of 200 spaces.

The platform extensions will be in use by the weekend (12 December)