Enabling works underway at £16m Cumberland Sports Village

Ground investigation surveys have started at the Workington project, ahead of the main construction phase.

The work is being delivered by specialist contractor RG Civil Engineering and Surveying and consultant Curtins, with the programme expected to take several weeks.

Cumberland Council said that disruption will be kept to a minimum wherever possible, with no orad closures expected.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “This is a necessary first step in bringing the Cumberland Sports Village to life. While this type of work might not be the most visible, it plays a crucial role in making sure we fully understand the site before construction begins.

“By carrying out these surveys now, we can plan with confidence and make sure the development is delivered safely and in the best possible way for our communities.”

Cumberland Sports Village is a banner project for Workington, supported by a UK government Town Deal, Cumberland Council and the Football Foundation.

The scheme, which has been tweaked to arrive at a final version consented in May, will see the Borough Park football ground fully redeveloped, with the teram decamping to nesarby rugby league ground Derwent Park while works take place.

Both clubs will then move into the new venue, which will have an enlarged capacity of 3,700 – potentially expandable to 5,000 – in modern stands, with new facilities added in. Community playing facilities are also included in the project.

The scheme will be project managed and delivered by Cumberland Council.