Major progress in Carlisle Southern Link Road
It's costing over £200 million
In June 2023 Cumberland Council, alongside their main contractor Galliford Try Infrastructure, commenced the construction of the £212 million Carlisle Southern Link Road.
The project achieved a major milestone this week, with the installation of a new 124 tonne temporary bridge that will provide access over the River Caldew so contractors can work between the railway and the river. This temporary link enables works on the much larger permanent 'Caldew Crossing' structure to progress.
Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: "This week marks an important step in the Carlisle Southern Link Road project.
"The project will vastly improve east to west connectivity as well as unlocking the delivery of the St. Cuthbert’s Garden Village that will deliver 10,000 new homes over the next 30 years and bring employment opportunities and significant benefits to the city and the wider county.
"I’m incredibly proud to see the first major milestone which has been delivered safely and in a collaborative and integrated manner with all partners involved."
The new road will be 8km long and will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West. The road will include four new roundabouts, four new road bridges, a combined cycle and foot path on the northern side of the road with four new shared-use over bridges.
It's hoped the project will aid economic growth in Carlisle through the creation of jobs, attracting businesses to invest, reducing congestion, and creating the infrastructure to support the building of quality homes and community facilities.
Construction is anticipated to take at least two years with the road open to the public in the Summer of 2025.