Local residents, businesses, commuters and visitors are being given the opportunity to have their say on ambitious new plans for Carlisle Railway Station and its surrounding area. The public consultation takes place between Friday 24 January and Friday 14 February 2020.
In September 2019, the first public consultation took place to ensure that project objectives were correct and that high-level proposals were supported. Following feedback from this consultation, two design options were developed which form the basis of this latest consultation.
A display will also be in place throughout the consultation in Carlisle Railway Station and students and staff from the University of Cumbria will be consulted on campus in Carlisle.
The project is being developed jointly by Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council working with Avanti, Network Rail and Cumbria LEP as key partners. By improving the Railway Station and its facilities, partners want to encourage visitors to come again, help young people to stay, make the station work better for the public, and stimulate investment in Carlisle.
Councillor Stewart Young, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “Our plans to improve Carlisle Railway Station are progressing and we’re now looking for people’s views on two options. We want to make sure we design a scheme that meets the needs of the station’s users, as well as enhancing the attractiveness of the station as the gateway to Carlisle city centre and the wider Borderlands area.
“The Government has allocated £15 million of funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal as the first phase of the Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels project, subject to a business case being approved to secure this investment.”
Councillor John Mallinson, Leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal will provide transformational change for the city. The Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels project will provide opportunities to improve the access arrangements, parking and will act as a catalyst for investment opportunities.
“We want to hear how residents, businesses and users of the Railway Station think the area could be improved. This is an exciting time for the city, and we encourage everyone with an interest in the station to take part in this next stage of consultation.”
John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, added: “The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal has proved to be very successful for our region; in terms of investment from Government and demonstrating how neighbouring councils can work in partnership to achieve the support necessary for key projects.
“Improvements to Carlisle Railway Station and the Citadels area is just one of these projects that the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal has secured. This project will benefit the whole city; bringing more investment and contributing to the Carlisle offer.
“I would encourage any organisation or individual to comment on the consultation, so that we can ensure that we have the very best possible improvements that best work for our city.”
Carlisle Railway Station is a key part of the national rail network and accommodates more than two million passengers every year, acting as a major interchange for the entire Borderlands region and providing access to branch-line services from the West Coast Mainline to the Cumbrian Coast, Tyne Valley, Settle to Carlisle and Glasgow and South Western lines.
Zina Nomicas, General Manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re excited to be working alongside our partners to progress these plans for the future of Carlisle station, as it is a key hub on our West Coast route.
“The station is integral to the local community, businesses and visitors it serves. This next stage of the public consultation will enable everyone to have their say on these ambitious designs ensuring they are the right fit.”
The consultation will allow the public to have their say on plans to improve connectivity and access for Carlisle and the Borderlands. By improving access, parking, shops and cafes, facilities and onward travel options at Carlisle Railway Station, it will boost the appeal of the city centre and support passenger growth.
Find out more at www.cumbria.gov.uk/CSGC.
