Improvements are set to commence this autumn to enhance access across the top of the small beach within Maryport Harbour. 

Cumberland Council has awarded a contract to contractors who will build the Boardwalk, a new pathway designed to improve connectivity between the town’s harbourside and promenade. 

The Boardwalk will follow the route of an existing well-used informal path and cross the patch of sand on the small beach.

The introduction of the Boardwalk aims to create a new focal point along the seafront, attracting individuals from the harbourside to the promenade and vice versa, while also enhancing connectivity with the town. 

Its proximity to Christ Church, the upcoming location for the Maritime Museum, and the new Shipping Brow Gallery add to its appeal. Additionally, it will serve as a useful link between the harbourside, its tourist attractions, and Hadrian’s Cycleway.

Constructed with a strong and durable decking surface made of glass-reinforced plastic, the Boardwalk will offer several advantages. 

The material is highly durable, non-slip, and features a honeycomb structure that prevents the accumulation of rainwater and sea spray. Moreover, the design accounts for the impact of high tides and storm surges, ensuring its resilience.

Cowran Estates Services Ltd, a local Cumbrian contractor based in Ulverston, has successfully won the competitive tender to build the Boardwalk. The project will involve the collaboration of skilled local subcontractors, supporting the local workforce.

Work is scheduled to commence on-site in early autumn 2023, following the completion of the steel fabrication. 

The construction phase is estimated to last around 10-12 weeks. During this period, access to the small beach will be temporarily restricted. Pedestrians and cyclists travelling between the promenade and the harbour area will need to utilize alternative routes, such as Strand Street or King Street.

The Boardwalk forms part of the ongoing transformation of Maryport’s public spaces, funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. In parallel developments, the former Maryport Maritime Museum building is being reimagined as the Shipping Brow Gallery, set to open in summer 2023.

Cllr Mark Fryer, the Leader of Cumberland Council, expressed enthusiasm for the investment, acknowledging the local community’s attachment to La’al Beach. He said: “I know how much fondness local people have for La’al Beach and hope this new investment will make sure the area is open to even more people. It is great to see the many restoration projects in Maryport coming to fruition.”

Simon Diss, Managing Director of Cowran Estate Services, shared his excitement about leading the construction of the new Maryport Boardwalk. He emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and a circular economy within Cumbria. 

Diss recognized the significance of the Boardwalk, harbourside, and promenade to the people of Maryport, saying: “We consider this to be a valuable contribution to sustainability and a circular economy within Cumbria. We recognize the significance of the Boardwalk, the harbourside and promenade to the people of Maryport and understand its importance in the overall regeneration of the area.” 

He also mentioned the project as the company’s first venture as a member of the Cumbria Manufacturing Alliance, an organisation uniting engineering businesses in Cumbria.

Amidst these developments, a pop-up museum has recently opened on Curzon Street, serving as the temporary location for the Maritime Museum until its relocation to Christ Church in 2024.

Another ongoing initiative, the Shopfront Scheme, funded by Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone, aims to convert the upper floors of buildings into new homes through the Love Maryport Living project. This effort seeks to restore additional town centre accommodations and is supported by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund.