'Significant improvements' for Carlisle bus hub
A council has said that major upgrade of a city's bus hub will deliver "significant improvements for thousands of people".
Cumberland Council is set to begin work on Carlisle's Market Hall bus hub, one of the city's busiest public transport gateways.
The project will be carried out in two phases, and includes the renovation of two bus shelters, installation of new sandstone paving, replacement bins and benches, and new lighting columns.
Footway closures and temporary bus stops will be in place while work is carried out.
Phase one of the work is scheduled to begin on 1 September 2026 and is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026.
The footway area within the site will be fully closed to pedestrians and buses during this period, and temporary bus stops will be provided on Drovers Lane, Lowther Street and the Howard Arms pub.
Access from the north entrance of Carlisle Market Hall will also be unavailable while the works are underway.
Access to the Market Hall from Scotch Street and Fisher Street will remain open throughout the improvements, and local businesses and market traders will continue to be open as usual.
Karl Melville, Cumberland Council's Assistant Director for Highways & Transport, said: "This is another important investment in Carlisle city centre and will deliver significant improvements for the thousands of people who use this busy transport hub each week.
"We recognise there will be some temporary disruption while the improvements are carried out, and we'd like to thank bus users, businesses and visitors for their patience.
"Importantly, Carlisle Market Hall and the surrounding businesses will remain open and ready to welcome customers throughout the works.
"We would encourage people to continue visiting the Market Hall and supporting local traders."
Ahead of the works beginning, Cumberland Council will hold a drop-in session on 21 August, from 12:00 BST to 17:00 in the communal area of Carlisle Market Hall.
Residents, businesses and bus users can speak with members of the project team to find out more about the scheme, ask questions and discuss any requirements or concerns they may have.
Phase two of the work is scheduled to begin in early January 2027. While detailed arrangements are yet to be finalised, the council says it is likely that the site will again need to be temporarily closed to buses and pedestrians.
Phase two is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete.
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