Spring opening targeted for £225m Carlisle Southern Link Road
Cumberland Council cited “higher-than-average rainfall during key phases of the earthworks and road surfacing” as the main reason for the project’s delayed delivery – having initially been set to complete last summer.
Main contractor Galliford Try Infrastructure began work on the eight-kilometre road between Junction 42 of the M6 and M595 at Newby West in June 2023. The Carlisle Southern Link Road includes four roundabouts, four road bridges, and four shared-use over bridges. A combined cycle and footpath is also part of the design.
Cumberland Council discussed the revised timeline in a report to the council’s highways and transport strategic board ahead of its meeting next week.
The report reiterated the benefits of the project, including unlocking land for 10,000 homes at St Cuthbert’s Garden Village and the reduction of congestion.
While the road will not be fully open until spring, parts of it are already operational, according to the report.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government has provided £212m for the link road’s delivery. Cumberland Council has said it would contribute £13.4m, sourced from developer contributions, to the project.
Galliford Try secured the £136m contract for the link road in March.
