As part of developing an improved road network, in and around Carlisle, plans are now in the early stages of exploring the possibility of a Southern Link Road for Carlisle.
The need to improve east to west connectivity has been identified in the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Cumbria Infrastructure Plan and in Carlisle City Council’s recently adopted Carlisle District Local Plan 2015-2030.
If the scheme is developed in the future, the new road would connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 near Peter Lane. The link road would be essential for the successful delivery of the planned St Cuthbert’s ‘Garden Village’ project, whilst helping to reduce congestion on the southern roads and into the city centre.
Commenting on the project Cllr David Southward, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property says: “It is important to stress that this is very much early investigative work. Cumbria County Council, as the Highways Authority, is looking at potential route options across land to the south of the city. As part of this early investigatory work we are now starting a conversation with land owners in this area. It must be stressed that this is preliminary work to inform options for a proposed southern link road and any future proposals will require extensive public consultation before any final decisions are made.”
Funding for this project is still to be secured but work is also underway exploring funding options if the project gets the go ahead. Any plans of potential routes will be shared in full with the public as part of extensive public consultation which could start as early as spring 2018.
Capita have been commissioned to undertake this early work which is planned to take place between the end of August 2017 and the beginning of October 2017.
Further information on the Carlisle District Local Plan 2015-2030 and St Cuthbert’s Garden Village can be found on the Carlisle City Council website http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/planning-policy/Carlisle-South
