Story Contracting have been appointed to deliver redevelopment works at Carlisle Railway Station.
On behalf of the Cumbria County Council with Carlisle City Council, Network Rail, Avanti West Coast, and Carlisle LEP as key partners, Story Contracting will deliver the design and build elements of the Northern Gateway.
Emma Porter, Construction Managing Director at Story Contracting, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen to deliver part of the transformative project at Carlisle Railway Station, which will bring long lasting benefits to the whole of Carlisle and make the city an outstanding place to live, work and visit for many years to come. This is a very exciting time for Carlisle, with huge opportunities presented for the city through funding from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, as well as the Towns Fund. The Carlisle Railway Station redevelopment is the first step in unlocking some of our potential economically, culturally and environmentally, and supporting further investment and job prospects in Carlisle.”
The project is one of the first to be funded within the £20m Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and will include:
Northern Gateway: Partial pedestrianisation of Court Square, enhancements to the space for passengers to enter and exit the station with easy access to ticket purchasing facilities. It will significantly reduce vehicular movements to the North of the station and Court Square, with improved connection to the city centre.
Station Building and Interior: Enhancements to the access to the platforms from the north and the undercroft using an easily accessible stairway. The undercroft will also be enhanced to provide a secure and welcoming entrance to the station from the South. Secure cycle parking, an improved historic entrance from the north, and improved/modernised passenger facilities are also included.
Southern Gateway: A new southern entrance and car parking facility will be created at the Southern part of the station. A total of 423 station car parking spaces is proposed, including disabled and electric bays. Together with the parking, coach services, rail replacement services and pick-up and drop-off will also be relocated to the southern side of the station. Cumbria County Council has recently acquired the Station Retail Park to enable delivery of the new Southern Gateway.
Enabling Streets and Junctions: Junction improvements at Victoria Viaduct / James Street, Water Street, Crown Street and Court Square Brow to improve access to the station, particularly for pedestrians.
Councillor Stewart Young, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “This is another key step forward in this important regeneration project which will ultimately encourage more passengers to use the station and create a more attractive gateway to the city centre. Both Story Contracting and Eric Wright Civil Engineering have a proven track record in designing and delivering high quality work here in Cumbria and I’m delighted that we will be working with them again on this project.”
As the Story’s Construction team prepare to deliver the Northern Gateway, the company’s Rail division are renewing the station platforms on behalf of Network Rail.
To read more about the Carlisle Station redevelopment, visit Cumbria County Council’s website
