£13.5 million secured for Carlisle Station Gateway Project upgrade

An additional £13.504 million in funding has been secured by Network Rail from the Department for Transport to support the regeneration of Carlisle train station and its surrounding area.

The funding will be used for the next phase of the Carlisle Station Gateway Project, a joint venture between Cumberland Council and Network Rail aimed at creating a modern, accessible gateway to the city and driving economic growth for Carlisle and the wider region.

With a capped contribution from the Department for Transport, the new funding complements the £27 million investment already made through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal to transform Carlisle station.

Key areas of development and use of the funding

This financial year, the additional £13.504 million will facilitate:

Design and construction work at George Square

Design and construction work at Court Square

Land development south of the station and enabling works

Station change activities

Business case development

Covering operational costs, including staffing and signage

Further along in the project, accessibility and internal upgrades to Carlisle station are planned to meet growing demand and support a revamped city centre. These improvements are expected to offer passengers a safer, more appealing, and better-connected travel experience.

Achievements in Carlisle's transformation

More than £100 million in public investment is being directed towards various regeneration projects across Carlisle to enhance accessibility, support economic growth, and introduce greener, more modern spaces.

Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council and Borderlands Partnership Board member, said: "This investment is a major step forward for Carlisle’s regeneration. The Carlisle Station Gateway Project will not only transform the station environment but also create opportunities for economic growth and improved connectivity for residents and visitors alike. It is positive to see further investment on the back of the initial Borderlands Deal funding.

"These enhanced facilities will continue the station’s transformation, creating spaces that are more attractive, accessible, and welcoming, ensuring that when people arrive in Carlisle, they are greeted by a station that reflects the city’s vibrancy and ambition, and sets the tone for exploring everything our area has to offer."

Response from leaders and Network Rail

Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle, remarked on the funding: "This additional £13.5 million is a further sign of the confidence this Government has in Carlisle’s future. Across the city we are seeing significant levels of public investment, from the Citadel campus and neighbourhood renewal schemes to improvements in our high streets and public spaces. The Station Gateway Project adds to this progress and will help deliver a modern, accessible and welcoming entrance to the city that reflects the pride we all share in Carlisle.

"This funding will deliver practical improvements that people will feel in their everyday lives. Better connectivity, safer and more attractive public spaces, and improved access to rail services will support local businesses, encourage more people into the city centre, and strengthen Carlisle’s position as a place where people want to live, study, visit, and invest."

Hannah Clarke, Network Rail’s project sponsor, said: "Carlisle station is a beautiful piece of railway heritage and an important gateway to the city. This investment will transform the experience for the thousands of passengers who use the station every day, making it easier to navigate, more accessible, and better connected to the city centre. We're working closely with Cumberland Council and Avanti West Coast to deliver improvements that passengers will see and feel from spring 2026."