The Legal Backbone of Siddick Bridge’s Transformation

22nd Mar 2024

Phillippa Holcroft

The Legal Backbone of Siddick Bridge’s Transformation

In a recent achievement for Cumbria’s infrastructure, Story Contracting, on behalf of Network Rail, has unveiled the newly installed railway bridge at the Port of Workington. This £4m investment marks a key upgrade, with Siddick bridge now standing as a modern structure, equipped to support the burgeoning traffic demands of the port over the Cumbrian Coast Line railway. Such projects, vital for enhancing local transportation and economic growth, are feats of engineering and collaboration. Behind the concrete and cranes there is a web of complex legal work, essential to bringing these structural visions to life.

At McHale & Co, we had the privilege of playing a role in this project. Our contribution centered on the legal work involved in diverting a gas main, a crucial part of the bridge’s reconstruction. This diversion needed a series of deeds of easements with both Cumberland and Allerdale councils. Acting for the regional utility company, we successfully completed these legal deeds, ensuring the smooth progression of the project.

Our work highlights how important strong legal structures and skilled negotiation are in supporting the development of infrastructure. These legal accomplishments, though often unseen, are key to the successful realisation of major projects.

Phillippa Holcroft
Solicitor

E: Phillippa.Holcroft@mchaleandco.co.uk
DDI: 0161 929 3088
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillippa-holcroft-70b2221b5