£6.5 million overhaul leads to better platforms for Cumbria passengers

Credit: Network Rail

A major £6.5 million North of England railway investment by Network Rail has seen platforms one, two, and three overhauled at the Avanti West Coast managed station. The platforms have been brought up to 21st century standards, with better drainage, a completely level surface, and the gap between the platform edge and trains made smaller. New tactile paving at the platform edges also improves accessibility for passengers with visual impairments.

“It is great to see this multi-million-pound revamp to Carlisle station’s platforms finished and being used by passengers,” Joanna Fielding, Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail, said. “The improvements make getting on and off trains a smoother and easier experience and it’s another example of Network Rail working with train operators and councils to upgrade the railway for the future.”

“The newly resurfaced platforms will provide a better experience for passengers, particularly when boarding and alighting trains at the station, and are the latest initiative designed to improve journeys for those travelling to and from Carlisle,” Michael Byrne, Station Manager at Carlisle for Avanti West Coast, said. “We would like to thank passengers for their patience while the works were carried out and hope they enjoy smoother journeys for many years to come.”

The Carlisle Station Gateway project is being developed jointly by Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council working with Avanti West Coast, Network Rail and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership as key partners. Cumbria County Council is taking the lead in the delivery of the project to strengthen the role of Carlisle station in improving connectivity to the Borderlands region.