Better platforms for passengers at Carlisle station after £6.5m overhaul

Passengers in Cumbria are benefiting from newly resurfaced platforms at Carlisle station.

A major £6.5m 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 21^st 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.

Joanna Fielding, scheme project manager at Network Rail said: “It’s great to see this multi-million-pound revamp to Carlisle station’s platforms finished and being used by passengers.

“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.”

Michael Byrne, Avanti West Coast station manager at Carlisle, said: “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.

“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.”

John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, said: “‘I am delighted to see the results of investment into platforms at Carlisle station. The need for tactile surfacing was one of the issues I lobbied for, so it is wonderful to see the platforms brought up to modern standards and fit for all users.”

Councillor Keith Little, cabinet member for highways and transport at Cumbria County Council, said: “I am delighted that this resurfacing work has been completed. The improved platforms will provide a much better surface for station users, and compliments the ongoing plans the county council is leading to redevelop the station and area around the Citadels in the city centre.

“Thanks to Network Rail and other partners for their work and commitment to this long term project which will help to transform Carlisle into a first-class destination to live, work, study and visit.”

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.