City link opens after three years of work
Cumberland CouncilA new route designed to ease congestion around a city has officially opened.
The five-mile (8km) Southern Link Road in Carlisle connects Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595, and will connect the planned 10,000-home St Cuthbert's Garden Village to the city centre.
Work started three years ago with several road closures and restrictions bringing disruption to motorists.
The £260m project involved the construction of three major road bridges, six footbridges, four roundabouts and 8.7 miles (14km) of new walking and cycling paths.
Cumberland Council's executive member for connected places, Denise Rollo, said it was one of the most significant infrastructure projects the council had delivered.
"It will make a lasting difference to how people travel, connect and do business across the area," she said.
"It's incredible to see the road now open."
Cumberland CouncilHomes England contributed most of the funding to provide infrastructure for St Cuthbert Garden Village.
The development, which recently got outline permission for 180 homes, will include shops, extensive green spaces, five new primary schools and a secondary school.
Director of infrastructure funding at Homes England, Pauline Schaffer, said the opening of the road showed their commitment to provide infrastructure to unlock land for housing.
She said: "The opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road is a significant moment for transport in the region and for the thousands of new homes that can now be delivered at St Cuthbert's Garden Village."