The Carlisle Southern Link Road has achieved a major milestone with the installation of a 124-tonne bridge.

In June 2023 Cumberland Council, alongside their main contractor Galliford Try Infrastructure, commenced the construction of the £212 million Carlisle Southern Link Road.

Over the past six months, Cumberland Council, Galliford Try Infrastructure, and their team of local and experienced subcontractors have made steady progress in challenging conditions.

The project achieved a major milestone last week, with the installation of a new 124-tonne temporary bridge that will provide access over the River Caldew so contractors can work between the railway and the river.

The new road will be 8km long and will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West. The road will include four new roundabouts, four new road bridges, a combined cycle and footpath on the northern side of the road with four new shared-use overbridges.

This vital temporary link enables works on the larger permanent Caldew Crossing structure to progress.

Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: “This week marks an important step in the Carlisle Southern Link Road project.

“The project will vastly improve east-to-west connectivity as well as unlock the delivery of the St. Cuthbert’s Garden Village that will deliver 10,000 new homes over the next 30 years and bring employment opportunities and significant benefits to the city and the wider county.

“I’m incredibly proud to see the first major milestone which has been delivered safely and in a collaborative and integrated manner with all partners involved.”

The project will unlock economic inclusive growth in Carlisle by creating jobs, attracting businesses to invest, reducing congestion, and creating the infrastructure to support the building of quality homes and community facilities.

Construction is anticipated to take at least two years with the road open to the public in the Summer of 2025.