The Government has promised an extra £80 million for Carlisle’s new ring road.
The move has been announced by city MP John Stevenson, who said the cash had been pledged after a ‘period of extensive lobbying’.
The Carlisle Southern Link Road Project was approved by the Government in 2016/17, but was subsequently hit with difficulties around the rising costs associated with the supply chain, labour and material shortages and rising energy costs.
The extra cash brings the total amount of Government funding for the key infrastructure project to over £200m, Mr Stevenson said.
He added: “The road is key to the delivery of St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, a residential development which will see 10,000 homes built south of Carlisle, new employment opportunities and improvements to infrastructure in the local area.
“Despite the setback Cumbria County Council has progressed the project well with planning permission granted and tenders in, meaning that work could start as early as April.
“This is a significant project, vital to the growth of Carlisle, with extensive support from local people and business.
“It will benefit not only Carlisle but the west of the county too. It will open up the St. Cuthbert’s Garden Village with the provision of 10,000 new homes, employment opportunities, community facilities and critical improvements to infrastructure.
I am delighted that the Government has listened and approved the additional funding, demonstrating a strong commitment to levelling up in the North and to the Carlisle constituency.”
Cumbria County Council’s cabinet agreed to appoint Galliford Try Construction Ltd to undertake the design and build of the road.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has now confirmed they will provide £212m funding for the new road, subject to finalising the legal agreements. This is in addition to the combined contributions from Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council of £13.8m which will be sourced from developer contributions as homes are built.
The new road will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West.
Main construction work is due to start in June and expected to take around two years, with the road opening in summer 2025.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport said: “I’m delighted that we have reached this significant milestone in the Carlisle Southern Link Road project. What once felt like a pipe dream to build this new strategic road, now really feels like it is happening and gathering pace with the appointment of Galliford Try. The benefits the road will bring in connecting east and West Cumbria and unlocking both housing for the new garden village and stimulating economic growth and investment cannot be underestimated.
“Cumbria County Council has campaigned to secure the funding needed for this project and it is a fantastic legacy for us in our final days to hand this to the new Cumberland Council to deliver the scheme for the people of Cumbria.”
Leader of Carlisle City Council, John Mallinson, added: “I’m delighted that funding has been secured for this major infrastructure project. The road will provide better connectivity within Cumbria and unlock housing for St Cuthbert’s Garden Village. It will provide lasting benefits that will help boost employment and economic growth.”
