Road to be widened into listed park

Plans to widen a road alongside a listed park have been give the go-ahead despite objections.

Cumberland Council approved the project which will take a parcel of land from the Grade II listed Hall Park in Workington, Cumbria, to widen a stretch of road at Hall Brow and create parking for nearby homes.

The council said the road was "narrow and problematic, particularly for HGVs and buses" and the work would improve safety.

Workington Town Council and residents had objected, saying parking for residents should not be created "at the cost" of land from the historic park.

A stretch of wall would be moved further into Hall Park, but the council pledged to rebuild it in its traditional style.

The plans are part of the £10m Workington Gateway project, funded by the government, with another application for the park also approved on Wednesday.

It would see the resurfacing of the pedestrian and cycle paths through the park, where the Grade I-listed Workington Hall stands.

Known locally as Curwen Hall, it dates to the 14th century and was one of the places Mary Queen of Scots sought shelter in 1568 before being executed.

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