Carlisle projects that will benefit from £19.7 million government funding have been revealed.
Carlisle submitted its investment plan to the Government in October 2020 and received an offer for £19.7 million-worth of investment for the city in March 2020.
This offer has now been agreed by the Town Deal Board, and will fund the following projects:
Start with the Park, St Cuthbert’s Garden Village
Providing new and improved walking and cycling routes connecting the key settlements of the garden village with Carlisle City Centre.
Southern Gateway
An integrated programme of investments in active and sustainable travel and public realm to better connect key developments in the Southern Gateway area of Carlisle, including the Railway Station, Citadels, Devonshire Street and the former Central Plaza site, and to connect St Cuthbert’s Garden Village with the city centre.
Project Tullie
Welcome and entrance to Tullie House Museum: part of a wider programme of investment at Tullie House Museum, this project will better connect the museum to the surrounding streetscape, increasing its visibility by providing a clear and contemporary point of arrival for visitors.
Lighting Up Carlisle
Investment of capital funding in digital lighting equipment to support an expanded and transformed events programme.
Digital and Community Learning Hub
Refurbishment of the City Centre Library to create an accessible digital skills and community learning hub, and installation of digital equipment and training materials in 13 community venues.
Citadels Business Infrastructure
Hyper fast digitally enabled business interaction and accommodation space, linked to the University of Cumbria’s flagship campus development.
Carlisle Market Hall
Investment to improve the infrastructure and internal structure in the market hall to improve the experience for shoppers and visitors and exploring options to create a food court and events space.
Emma Porter, of Story Contracting and chair of Carlisle’s Town Deal Board, added: “I have enjoyed chairing the Town Deal Board and am looking forward to getting on with the next stage of developing some of these exciting projects.
“Carlisle has a lot to offer and we hope these projects will drive forward positive change.”
University of Cumbria’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell said: “These are exciting times for our city and region, with each of these projects delivering significant benefit in their own right.
“The development of a city centre university campus has the potential to transform the character and status of Carlisle and the wider Borderlands area.
“However, it is the strategic and collaborative approach taken by all involved which will ensure we deliver tremendous and long-lasting impact for our city, businesses and communities.”
Blueprint for Carlisle’s future
John Mallinson, leader of Carlisle City Council said: “The £19.7 million funding sits within a wider package of over £250 million of investment in and around Carlisle.
“This is great news for the city and will help us grow and support our businesses and communities coming out of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Town Investment Plan is a blueprint for the next 10 years and will drive forward Carlisle in the future.”
County councillor Cyril Weber, who represents Cumbria County Council on the Town Deal Board said: “I’m delighted with the range of very worthwhile projects that are due to be delivered as part of the Town Deal, and it has been a pleasure working with all of the organisations involved.
“The county council will be responsible for delivering many of these important projects which will each provide essential support for investment to help revitalise Carlisle and surrounding areas and enable future growth.”
Andrew Mackay, director of Tullie House Museum, said: “Tullie House Museum Trust is very grateful to the Carlisle Town Deal Board and MHCLG for supporting Project Tullie.
“This investment will make a significant difference to the city’s principal cultural facility and therefore the visitor offer. The overall portfolio of projects in the Investment Plan provides a very positive statement about Carlisle’s ambition and the planned strategy to create an inspiring ‘Destination City’ for everyone.”
Jo Lappin, chief executive of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and a member of the Carlisle Town Deal Board, said: “I am really pleased that the board has agreed its investments in these priority projects, which will drive forward the ambition within the Town Deal Investment Plan.
“It’s an impressive package of projects that will be of significant benefit, not just to Carlisle and its people but to the whole county and the wider sub-region.”
The Investment Plan provides a 10-year strategy for Carlisle’s growth.
The investment plan is now available at www.carlisle.gov.uk/regeneration
The £19.7 million funding sits within a wider package of over £250 million of investment in and around Carlisle, which also includes £9.1 million from the Future High Street Fund to support the regeneration of the city centre, £70 million through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal for the Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels Projects, and additional funding for The Sands Centre, Tullie House, Bitts Park and the redevelopment of Caldew Riverside as well as the £144 million Carlisle Southern Link Road.
