The UK Government has awarded Carlisle Railway Station and its surrounding public realm and facilities £20 million funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, subject to conditions. Investment will transform the station and strengthen the strategic connectivity to Carlisle and to the wider Borderlands region. Mott MacDonald is working for Cumbria County Council as business case lead for the Carlisle Station Gateway. The project is being developed jointly by Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council working with Avanti West Coast, Network Rail and Cumbria LEP as key partners. BDP is providing architectural design and public realm inputs, while BBHS is providing heritage consultancy.
The Carlisle Station Gateway scheme aims to maximise the historic Carlisle Railway Station, encourage investment, support passenger growth, and future-proof the station making it greener and safer. It will also grow the regional role of the station and create a gateway to the city. It is one of the first projects within the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal to have funding approved to move forward into the delivery phase.
Works will include improving the northern gateway of the station and creating a new southern entrance and car parking facility. There will be enhancements to the station building and interior, as well as junction improvements to give better access to the station.
Mott MacDonald is business case lead on the Gateway scheme. The consultancy also worked on highways design, appraisal, engineering, environmental, monitoring and evaluation support. It is providing an ongoing role developing and managing the scheme to get it ready to build.
Mott MacDonald’s project manager, Katie Chesworth, said: “We are delighted the Carlisle Station Gateway scheme is getting the go-ahead with funding from the Government. Developing Carlisle Rail Station will have a big impact on the city, improving the station for residents and users and encouraging investment. It will also get the station ready for the arrival of HS2.”
The next stage of design work on the Station Gateway scheme will start in 2021.