Carlisle’s Conservative MP John Stevenson has welcomed an additional £80 million the city will get from the Government for the ring road project, after a period of extensive lobbying. This brings the total amount of Government funding for the key infrastructure project to over £200m.
The Carlisle Southern Link Road Project was given approval by Government back 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 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 2023.
Commenting John said, “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.”