21/10/2009 - PHOTO/INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: CNDR ribbon cutting ceremony

Journalists and photographers are invited to a ceremony marking the start of major construction work on the Carlisle Northern Development Route (CNDR).

Councillor Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways, will be conducting a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Monday (October 26).

The event is taking place at 11.30am at the CNDR site offices behind the NT Services truck stop in Kingstown (see attached map for directions) and members of the media are asked to arrive for 11.15am. 

Major work got underway on Monday (October 19) on the 8.25km/5.13-mile route that will cut journey times through Carlisle, massively reduce the number of HGVs and other vehicles travelling through the city centre and speed up the journey to west Cumbria from Scotland and the north east.

It will also play a key role in boosting the economy of west Cumbria and developing the Kingmoor Park business centre with the aim of creating more than 5,000 jobs. 

Councillor Markley said: "Once completed, CNDR is going to bring massive transport and economic improvements not just to Carlisle but to west Cumbria as well and I’m delighted that major construction work is now underway.

"Getting to this point has been a big challenge and has taken considerable time and effort, but the fact that the work of delivering this new road has really begun is fantastic news."

Connect Roads general manager Andy Dean, said: "We are delighted to have reached commencement of the construction phase of the CNDR.

"We have built a very strong partnership with the county council and look forward to delivering this road for the people of Cumbria."

Andy Dean and Dave Curry, project director for Birse Civils - the contractor responsible for the design and construction of the new road - will also be available for interview on Monday alongside Councillor Markley.

ENDS

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330