The footbridge at a railway station is set to be removed and taken away for maintenance.

The walkway at Millom railway station will be removed this weekend to allow Network Rail to carry out maintenance to walkway.

The staircases will be sealed in scaffolding and be repainted.

Once maintenance has been competed, the walkway will be reinstalled.

A Network Rail spokesman said this would happen at the end of May.

The decision was made to remove the bridge to avoid causing any disruption to the trains coming in and leaving the station.

The existing walking route via the main road and access near to the Tesco supermarket will remain in place as an alternative for pedestrians.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “A survey found some of Millom station's footbridge's steelwork needed maintenance, and this weekend the bridge will be taken away to be repaired and repainted.

“It will be put back in position at the end of May.

“We thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this essential maintenance work as part of the Great North Rail Project, which will secure the bridge for many years to come.”

The decision to renovate the bridge has been welcomed by deputy mayor of Millom Angela Dixon.

“The bridge at Millom station has been in a state of disrepair for a number of years, so the repairs were necessary," she said.

“It is nice to see Network Rail putting some investment in to the area.”

Cllr Dixon said the station has also seen improvement in trains arriving on time since the railway strike action ended this year.

She said: “Things have got a lot better recently.

“More trains are arriving on time.”