Innovative solutions carried out by Story Contracting to complete Workington's £3 million transport hub will be the subject of a talk next week.

John Slee, who was project manager for Story Contracting for the scheme, will be the guest speaker at the event on Thursday, organised by the Cumbria branch of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, at Lakes College, Lillyhall.

Delegates will hear how the site, at Workington's railway station, presented workers with several challenges, including dealing with contaminated ground and complex drainage systems.

Mr Slee's talk will discuss the innovative solutions adopted and how construction work was planned and completed.

Mr Slee is a successful retired strategic director who operated at senior level within both public and private sector organisations predominately within local government.

He has has set up his own consultancy, having worked at operational board level within a FTSE100 outsourcing company.

Workington transport hub was an infrastructure project undertaken by Story Contracting on behalf of Cumbria County Council.

The work, on a former brownfield site, included new pedestrian zones, drop-off points and a bus terminal at the entrance to the station.

A new road junction was also be created from the A597 with a right turning lane.

The project was one of three transport schemes to be funded from a £7.8m pot of cash by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers aims to promote engineering, develop engineers, inform opinion and encourage innovation.

The international organisation was created in 1847 and has over 120,000 members in 140 countries.

It works with firms and government and encourages education initiatives which inspire the next generation to work in engineering.

The talk by John Slee about the transport hub next Thursday, will take place at Lakes College, Lillyhall, from 7pm. Registration opens at 6.30pm, and refreshments will be available.