Carlisle Station Getaway

Transforming Carlisle Railway Station for better connectivity within the region

Carlisle Railway Station is one of the Borderlands region’s most important arrival points. Cumbria County Council, working with Carlisle City Council, Network Rail, and Avanti West Coast, has secured £20 million through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal to transform the station and surrounding areas.

The project will create a modern, welcoming, and inclusive gateway that honours Carlisle’s heritage. Improvements will make travelling easier and safer, strengthen regional and national connections, and provide better spaces for shopping, meeting, and exploring the city centre. This is a major investment not only for the station itself, but for the wider community and the economy of Carlisle and the Borderlands region.

What the programme will deliver

The Carlisle Station Gateway project will improve access, facilities, shops, cafés, and onward travel options, boosting the city centre’s appeal and supporting passenger growth.

Key outcomes of the project include:

Maximise this historic asset by respecting its heritage and architecture, and encourage investment to improve commercial opportunities in the station and wider city.
Support passenger growth and strengthen the station’s role across the region by improving facilities and accessibility for all users, including parking and drop-off areas.
Create a welcoming gateway with high-quality entrances and enhanced historic buildings that attract more visitors and better connect the station to the city.
Future-proof the station by improving safety and supporting greener forms of travel.

Key facts

Project title: Carlisle Station Gateway project
Location: Carlisle, Cumbria
Theme: Enabling Infrastructure
Project lead: Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council
Total project value: £24 million
Funded by: £20 million Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal (from UK Government)
Project delivery timescales: 2022-2027
Status: In delivery