The Line, Workington, becoming a safer place for all

Local partners are continuing to make The Line in Workington a safer place for everyone to enjoy. The updates and changes follow a successful bid to the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund Round Five by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), Peter McCall.

The project is being completed by Cumberland Council in partnership with the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and Cumbria Police. Work began on The Line in January 2024 to clear the overgrown vegetation to enable the public to clearly see the route and reduce hiding places for those looking to commit or have committed an offence. As of March, all the nuisance vegetation has now been cleared.

Work will also take place to repair and replace broken paving to improve accessibility and attract greater use by the local community. Local schools have been invited to design murals to replace the current graffiti and partners are developing new signage with direct links on how to report issues to the Council and Police.

Local litter picking days will be held on 18 April and 2 May ahead of further work to make The Line more appealing and promote the feeling of safety in the area.

PFCC Peter McCall, said: “I’m really pleased to see the Safer Streets Round Five project progressing on The Line.

“The £47,875 funding dedicated to The Line allows us to provide simple solutions to improve the feeling of safety amongst residents and visitors whilst reducing the likelihood of crime.

“I am pleased to be working alongside Cumbria Police and Cumberland Council to deliver this project in Workington and I am certain that residents will see the benefits.

“Together we can make Cumbria an even safer place to live, work and visit.”

Sergeant Scott Adams from Workington’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said “There has been some real progress made on making ‘The Line’ feel like a safer place for people to use after feedback from our communities that they didn’t feel safe using the line, due to anti-social behaviour and drug use.

“The comments that we have received show that the trimming of trees and cutting back the hedges have made a big difference in uncovering lights and making it at a more open area.

“This is just the start of a bigger project with plans in place to carry out a litter picks and cover graffiti.”

Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Sustainable, Connected and Resilient Places, said: “It’s great to see work progressing on The Line.

“These improvements will help people feel safer as they use the footpath. We want all our residents to feel they can move around their communities without fear.

“Sometimes small changes to an environment can make a big difference, and this is a great example of working in partnership to achieve the right outcome.

“I look forward to seeing the finished work, and to more people enjoying using The Line.”