A FOOTBRIDGE that had to be taken away for repair has now been put back in place.

The footbridge linking both sides of Wigton railway station was closed in December after being deemed unsafe by Network Rail.

Train operator Northern announced the closure last year.

At the time a Network Rail spokesman said: “A survey found some of Wigton station footbridge’s steelwork needed maintenance, and it was closed at the end of December with a diversionary walking route put in place.”

Commuters were urged to use the entrance on Station Road for Carlisle-bound trains.

Wigton railway is operated by Northern Rail who provide train services along the Cumbrian coastal line and it is a mandatory stop for journeys to Maryport, Workington, and Whitehaven and Carlisle.

The two side platforms are slightly offset and linked by a footbridge.

Earlier this week the repaired footbridge was put back in place.

“To ensure the least disruption to passengers, Wigton station’s historic footbridge was successfully lifted back into place overnight when trains weren’t running using a hundred-tonne crane on Saturday,” added the spokesman.

“The Victorian bridge travelled to a specialist factory and was taken back to its bare metal so vital repairs could be made. Now the 7.5-tonne bridge span is back in position final touches can take place at Wigton station.

“This Railway Upgrade Plan work has both secured the safety of the footbridge and kept its railway heritage alive for generations to come.”

An identical footbridge at Millom station is also undergoing the same refurbishment.

Due to their age, the bridges were found to have structural defects and needed to be refurbished to ensure they remained safe and reliable for passengers.

To complete the work safely, the bridges were removed and transported to St Helens where they were grit-blasted to remove layers of old paint.

The bridges were then transferred to Taziker’s workshop in Heywood where a team inspected and carried out structural repairs to the Victorian lattice structures.

The bridge was taken away in March to carry out necessary repairs.

Passengers were thanked for their patience while Network rail carried out the essential maintenance work which will secure the bridge for many years to come.

Like most stations on the route, Wigton is unstaffed and has been since 1969.

There is a self service ticket machine on the Barrow bound side of the station. There are now penalty fares in place on the Cumbrian coast line so it is vital passengers purchase tickets in advance or obtain a promise to pay from a machine in order to pay onboard.