Cumbria County Council set to decide on Castleway pedestrian crossing

Councillors of Cumbria County Council will today decide whether to approve controversial plans for a pedestrian crossing on Carlisle's Castleway.

The report has been recommended for approval, and the the council says tourism groups in the city are supporting the plans, including English Heritage at Carlisle Castle, Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, Tullie House and Carlisle Cathedral.

The works would be funded by money provided by Sainsbury's, because when the company built its superstore in Caldewgate it agreed to fund transport related improvements in the area.

The idea is to improve links between the north and south sides of Castle Way, and in doing so provide better links between the Castle and the city centre.

The council's proposals:

• A toucan crossing over Castle Way. This would be at the end of the road, at the junction with Annetwell Street, and would provide a direct cycle and pedestrian crossing to the Castle.
• A pedestrian footpath under Castle Way at Caldew Bridge. This would connect the existing Caldew Riverside Trail to the north side of Castle Way. Steps on the north side of the road will enable pedestrians on the Caldew Riverside Trail to access the northern footway of Castle Way.