A fairground has moved in to a Carlisle car park in the run-up to the city’s popular fire show at on Saturday November 5.
The funfair has begun operating today in Castle car park – formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park – and will be on site until Sunday, October 30.
It will open from 2pm to 8pm Wednesday to Saturday and 2pm to 6pm on Sunday.
People can still use the car park while the fair is there and can park there for free during the weekend.
On the day of the fireshow, Saturday, November 5, there will be no fairground and Castle car park will change into a Fireshow Village, offering food and family entertainment to families attending the fireshow between 5pm and 8.30pm.
Carlisle Fireshow is a family event, and no alcohol will be permitted on site or within the Fireshow Village in Castle car park.
Parking
The following parking restrictions will be in place on Saturday November 5.
- Barrier controlled car parks (West Walls and Caldew Riverside) – Car park closures will be suspended on the evening of Saturday November 5.
- The following temporary traffic arrangements will apply throughout the day of Saturday November 5:
- No vehicle access to Bitts Park.
- No vehicle access to Dacre Road (adjacent to Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park).
- Parking for Blue Badge holders will be available at Castle car park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park). This will be available on a first come, first served basis with the last entry at 5.45pm. Vehicles parked within this car park will not be able to leave until 8.30pm.
- No parking in Bitts Park car park.
- No vehicle access to Bitts Park from Willowholme or The Sheepmount.
- The skate park will be closed on the day of the event.
Access
A special viewing area for people with disabilities including wheelchair users will be set aside on the Sheepmount Road. Up to two carers allowed on the viewing area per individual.
After the event has ended, those wanting to walk to the west of the city will be filtered to the right of Devonshire Walk (towards Caldewgate and the pedestrian crossing opposite the former Globe public house) and those wanting to walk into the city centre will be filtered to the left and will then be able access Castle Street across Castle Way (between the barriers opposite the castle).
Safety
People are asked to note that by the very nature of the event, smoke, noise, embers and mud underfoot, are inevitable. All are requested to be mindful of the risks and to come prepared for such eventualities: warm clothing and suitable footwear. For safety reasons, no fireworks of any kind (including sparklers) are allowed into this event. Pets are also prohibited from the park: they should be kept at home to avoid any possible distress.
The sale of glow sticks and other fluorescent items should only be purchased from official sales staff based in and around the fairground.
Rail passengers
People planning to use a train into Carlisle for the event are urged to check before they travel as strikes are due to be held on Saturday, November 5, affecting companies including Northern and Transpennine Express. There may also be delays due to the ongoing work to repair the lines following the train derailment earlier this month, just outside Carlisle.
Bus services
The nearest bus stop for Carlisle Fireshow is West Tower Street and multiple services are available, said Stagecoach. To plan your journey, visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/plan-a-journey
It will be the 33rd fireshow event staged by Carlisle City Council and is organised in conjunction with Merlin Fireworks Ltd.
