Carlisle station is set to undergo a major £13.5 million transformation, funded by the Department for Transport, to create a modern, accessible gateway for passengers while preserving its historic Victorian features. The Carlisle Station Gateway Project, a collaboration between Network Rail and Cumberland Council, aims to improve navigation, accessibility, and connections to the city.

The upgrade will include new entrances, relocated car parking, and a pedestrianised station frontage at Court Square, making it easier for passengers to move between platforms and access enhanced facilities. The project will also retain the station’s heritage while providing step-free access across all platforms.

Passengers can expect several key milestones over the next two years. In spring 2026, a new pub will open in the restored first-class waiting room on platform 4, alongside improvements to the public space to the south of the station and the construction of a new customer car park. By summer 2026, the north station entrance will be reconfigured to prioritise pedestrians. February 2027 will see the completion of the northern pedestrianised entrance and relocated southern parking, with further upgrades including new lifts, staircases, and a southern entrance to make the station fully accessible into 2027.

Hannah Clarke, Network Rail’s project sponsor, said:

“Carlisle station is a beautiful piece of railway heritage and an important gateway to the city. This investment will transform the experience for the thousands of passengers who use the station every day, making it easier to navigate, more accessible, and better connected to the city centre. We're working closely with Cumberland Council and Avanti West Coast to deliver improvements that passengers will see and feel from spring 2026.”

Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, added:

“This is a fantastic investment from the Department for Transport, and we are delighted that it will be used to improve Carlisle station. These enhanced facilities will continue the station’s transformation, creating spaces that are more attractive, accessible, and welcoming. This will make the passenger and visitor experience much better, ensuring that when people arrive in Carlisle, they are greeted by a station that reflects the city’s vibrancy and ambition.”

Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle and North Cumbria, said:

“This £13.5 million investment is a clear signal of the confidence in Carlisle and in the regeneration that is happening across the city. It adds to the significant public investment already being made and shows real support for Carlisle’s future. These improvements will make the station easier to use, more accessible and better connected to the rest of the city.”

Damien Henderson, Senior Regional Growth Manager at Avanti West Coast, noted:

“This is fantastic news which will support the transformation of Carlisle station to better serve our customers and the city region. We will continue to work closely with Network Rail and Cumberland County Council on delivery of this investment, the wider station masterplan and the longer-term development of the surrounding area.”

The Carlisle Station Gateway Project underlines the station’s crucial role in connecting Cumbria to the West Coast Main Line, with services reaching London, Scotland, Manchester, and beyond. Construction has already begun with the new pub and early enabling work, and activity around the station will increase through 2026 and 2027 as the redevelopment progresses.

The project aims to balance heritage and modernisation, ensuring the Grade II listed features are preserved while providing improved drop-off points, relocated parking, and enhanced pedestrian access to make journeys smoother from start to finish.

Image: Network Rail