Carlisle Southern Link Road open for business

With the final bill touching £260m, the five-mile route connects the M6 and the A595, opening up development at St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.

Delivered by principal contractor Galliford Try, the CSLR has officially opened today, marking a major milestone for transport, connectivity and economic growth across Cumberland.

It connects Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595, with the twin goals of reducing congestion within Carlisle and opening up areas such as St Cuthbert’s – long in the planning, but with the first residential applications only just going in – for development.

Work started in summer 2023, with the project at that time expected to come in at £225m. The original target date for completion had been summer 2025, with delays put down to higher than average rainfall.

The route crosses two main railway lines and the Cladew and Petteril rivers. The ceremonial opening included a ribbon cutting at the Caldew crossing, followed by a tour of the new road for stakeholders and dignitaries.

The scheme represents an investment of £259.4m, including £246m from Homes England.

Over the course of the project:

• More than 1m cubic metres of material has been moved
• Three major road bridges and six footbridges have been constructed
• Four new roundabouts have been delivered
• More than 8.7 miles of walking, cycling and wheeling routes have been created alongside the road

Cllr Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: “The opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road is a fantastic milestone and a truly historic moment for Cumberland.

“This is one of the most significant infrastructure projects we’ve delivered, and it will make a lasting difference to how people travel, connect and do business across the area.

“It’s incredible to see the road now open, easing congestion, improving journey times and supporting future growth, including the development of St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.”

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Pauline Schaffer, director of infrastructure funding at Homes England, said: “The opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road is a significant moment for transport in the region and for the thousands of new homes that can now be delivered at St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.

“Our £246m investment in this scheme reflects Homes England’s commitment to providing key infrastructure that unlocks land for housing and highlights how we can support local councils to achieve their long-term growth ambitions.”

Glennan Blackmore, managing director – infrastructure at Galliford Try, added: “The official opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road is a proud moment for everyone involved in delivering the project.

“This has been a genuinely collaborative effort between ourselves, Cumberland Council, our supply chain partners, and the many people who have worked on site over the last three years to bring this much-needed infrastructure to life.”