The £259.4m Carlisle Southern Link Road has officially opened today.
The new 8km route connects Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 and it is hoped it will ease congestion in Carlisle, improve journey times and support the development of St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.
An opening event took place this morning, bringing together local leaders, partners, contractors and stakeholders to celebrate the completion of the largest infrastructure projects delivered in Cumberland in recent years.
The ceremony included a ribbon cutting at the Caldew Crossing, followed by a tour of the new road and reflections on the project’s achievements and long-term benefits. The road opened following final safety checks.
The scheme represents an investment of £259.4 million, including £246 million from Homes England, supporting both infrastructure delivery and future growth in the area.
Construction began in June 2023.
Over the course of the project:
- Over a million cubic metres of material has been moved
- Three major road bridges and six footbridges have been constructed
- Four new roundabouts have been delivered, connecting key routes across the city
- Over 14km of new walking, cycling and wheeling routes have been created alongside the road
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: “The opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road is a fantastic milestone and a truly historic moment for Cumberland.
“This is one of the most significant infrastructure projects we’ve delivered, and it will make a lasting difference to how people travel, connect and do business across the area.
“It’s incredible to see the road now open, easing congestion, improving journey times and supporting future growth, including the development of St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.
“I’d like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their patience over the past few years while this work has been carried out, as well as everyone involved in delivering the scheme. This is something Cumberland can be incredibly proud of, and it will benefit our communities for generations to come.”
Pauline Schaffer, director of infrastructure funding at Homes England, said: “The opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road is a significant moment for transport in the region and for the thousands of new homes that can now be delivered at St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.
“Our £246 million investment in this scheme reflects Homes England’s commitment to providing key infrastructure that unlocks land for housing and highlights how we can support local councils to achieve their long-term growth ambitions.”
Glennan Blackmore, managing director – infrastructure, Galliford Try, added: “The official opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road is a proud moment for everyone involved in delivering the project.
“This has been a genuinely collaborative effort between ourselves, Cumberland Council, our supply chain partners, and the many people who have worked on site over the last three years to bring this much-needed infrastructure to life.
“Beyond the road itself, the project leaves a lasting legacy through improved connectivity, opportunities for communities and investment in the area’s future growth. We would also like to thank local residents, businesses and road users for their patience and support throughout construction.”
