Hundreds of members of the public have helped inspire new investment plans for Maryport.
Nearly 160 members of the public attended two drop-in events at Maryport Town Hall, while 345 people have completed a survey about the regeneration ideas. The paper copies of the survey are being processed this week and will be added to those completed online. The information will then be used to inform the next stage of the process - working with architects and planners to cost the various options and come up with a new masterplan.
This new initiative has come about after plans to create a new swimming pool at The Wave were terminated as operational costs spiralled. Estimates said Cumberland Council would need to find up to half a million pounds a year to subsidise the running of the building - figures which are simply unaffordable at this moment in time.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, has expressed his thanks to everyone who has participated in the Maryport events and online survey.
He added: “While the results of the survey are still being examined, what is clear is the enthusiasm from participants who want to see more really good things happen in Maryport. In particular, there is a lot of love for the promenade and harbourside, and we want to see how we can enhance those areas.
“We are already transforming Christ Church into a new museum, regenerating the high street with new shopfronts and accommodation, creating a new gallery and bringing the historic Carlton building back to life. We are also making the area locals know as la’al harbour more accessible and designing new wayfinder schemes for the town to tie all of these great projects together.
“The new plans for Maryport will build on all of this and I look forward to seeing the next steps by the Council’s regeneration team.”