All systems go for Carlisle Northern Development Route

The way has been cleared for a new road which will help boost the economy of north Cumbria. The Secretary of State for Transport, John Spellar, has approved orders connected with the building of the Carlisle Northern Development Route. The news, announced today, has been welcomed by Cumbria County Council. 

The decision follows a public inquiry carried out by Allan Blackley, an independent inspector, in December 2002. The inquiry was held to look into objections received after the publication of compulsory purchase and side road orders. 

Councillor Kevan Wilkinson, county council spokesman for transport issues, said: 

"We are delighted with this decision. It will benefit the whole of north Cumbria. The improvements to the transport network that it will bring are crucial to the success of the Kingmoor Park strategic employment site, where we expect thousands of jobs to be created. It should also relieve congestion in Carlisle by taking traffic away from the city centre and should greatly improve road links between west Cumbria, Scotland and the north east." 

The Secretary of State agreed with the inspector's recommendation to confirm the orders, with some modifications. The inspector said in his report: 

"It seems to me that the low level of objections to this scheme is a recognition of its intrinsic merits. "It would allow full development of Kingmoor Park with the benefits to business which that would bring as well as employment benefits to Carlisle and wider afield. "Carlisle traffic would be relieved, so allowing public transport measures to be introduced which should encourage the mode shift sought by the council. "The sensitive heritage and environmental issues along the route have been carefully addressed and are without objection except specific to individual property. "It seems to me that there is much merit in the scheme." 

If all goes well, the PFI contract will be awarded in April 2005, with construction starting shortly afterwards. Completion is due in the early summer of 2007. 

The route was given planning permission in January 2001. Cumbria County Council was informed in September that its formal submission for PFI funding had been successful. This means that the council has effectively secured £66 million of new funding from the government for Cumbria and the scheme over the life of the project. At the same time as construction of the new road would begin, it is proposed that the management and maintenance of a number of roads in North Cumbria would transfer to a private operator in much the same way as the A69 between Carlisle and Newcastle.