Castle Street scheme one of multi-million pound package for Carlisle

A scheme to improve the public realm in the Historic Quarter is being hailed as great news for Carlisle, after it was given the green light on Monday. The Castle Street scheme is one of a multi-million pound package of projects coming forward in 2010.

Proposals to improve the public realm at Castle Street, the spine of Carlisle’s Historic Quarter, were approved by the Local Area Committee for Carlisle on Monday. The scheme, driven forward by Carlisle Renaissance and Carlisle City Council, will help attract increased footfall and investment into the city as part of a raft of forthcoming projects for the area.

Andrew Sproat, Development Manager for Carlisle Renaissance, said: “Renaissance and its partners are working hard to bring more visitors into Carlisle, and provide what boost we can to the city centre. There’s a lot of evidence demonstrating that investing in the public realm can boost tourism, attract investment and have a positive effect on local businesses. That’s why I’m delighted that the Committee has given its approval.

“Improvements to Castle Street will reduce the opportunity for ‘double line parking’ and the adverse visual impact of parked vehicles. We’ll increase the width of some portions of pavement, new street furniture will be installed and the roadway will be resurfaced and narrowed, providing additional space for pedestrians. Disc parking in the Historic Quarter is being retained and dedicated blue badge bays provided.

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting the proposal right and now we’re looking forward to making it happen now.”

Physical work on the ground could begin as early as May, and will be complete by the end of the year.

Ian McNichol, Programme Director of Carlisle Renaissance, added: “Approval for the Castle Street scheme is great news for Carlisle. It’s one of a package of exciting projects coming forward in 2010.

“We’ve now agreed with English Heritage how to determine what is possible and practical in developing Carlisle Castle’s visitor offer, with the first phase to be completed by April. Designs for the refurbishment of the Old Town Hall, to make it work harder in showcasing Carlisle’s attractions, will also be complete by then. Meanwhile, Carlisle Cathedral plan to look at creating a new access point into the Precinct via West Walls, a possible new Cathedral Square and maybe even a residential development within the Precinct.

“A decision is expected next month on a £2.35m package to pay for a spectacular new gallery in Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, plus public realm works between the attraction and Hadrian’s Wall Path. That’s cash that Carlisle may not have benefited from otherwise. Next month we’ll publish a prospectus for the Methodist Central Hall. We hope this will help promote the wonderful Grade II listed building and support work to bring it back into use. Residents have told us that this is what they want, and I hope it will provide a model for how we can encourage the re-use of historic buildings elsewhere in Carlisle.

“Also, recognising that Carlisle’s historic assets extend beyond the historic quarter, we’re also driving forward an estimated £2m project to create a sense of arrival for visitors to the city at Citadel Station’s Court Square.

“Renaissance has also confirmed its support for two major events, which will draw more than 10,000 people into the city and provide a welcome boost to the local economy. The first of the events is Welcoming the Light, a spectacular Lakes Alive production taking place on 13 March.

“All of these projects represent investment worth millions to Carlisle and will start to come to life over the next few months.”