Port fears impact of track switch

The port says it will work to address the impact

Concerns have been raised about the impact a decision to move rail track production from a Cumbrian plant will have on a port.

On Thursday, Corus announced it was moving track production from Workington to Scunthorpe, which will mean the loss of 256 Cumbrian jobs.

Rails from the plant have been shipped through the Port of Workington which fears it will leave a gap in trade.

Meanwhile Corus workers were meeting management over the move.

Port manager Jeremy Lihou said: "It's going to devastate our trade with Corus. It's going to go from 100,000 tonnes five years ago to nil in 2006.

"And that's something the port has to cope with and try and counter in some way."

Handover process

Corus claims rail industry demands for longer sections of track can be better met at Scunthorpe, in North Lincolnshire.

The Cumbria rail facility will close at the end of next year after an 18-month handover process to Scunthorpe.

The process engineering business at Workington, which employs 300 workers, will not be affected by the changes.

A new mill is to be installed in Scunthorpe which would enable the plant to produce 120-metre sections of track as opposed to the 40-metre rails manufactured at Workington.