Managed by Avanti West Coast, the Cumbrian station has seen a huge investment of £6.5m for platforms one, two and three with the work bringing smoother, safer and easier journeys for passengers.
As part of the platform resurfacing works other improvements have also been completed such as improvements in drainage due to the levelling off of the platforms and a reduction in the size of the gap between the platform edge and train.
Brand new ‘tactile' paving has also been put in place on the platform edges which bring improvements in accessibility for passengers with visual impairments.
The major project to resurface the platforms mean that they are now fit for use moving into the future and meet with 21st-century standards as part of Network Rails Great Northern Rail Project which is set to improve and transform train travel in the North of England.
Michael Byrne, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Carlisle, said:
“The newly resurfaced platforms will provide a better experience for passengers – particularly when boarding and alighting trains at the station – and are the latest initiative designed to improve journeys for those travelling to and from Carlisle.
“We would like to thank passengers for their patience while the works were carried out and hope they enjoy smoother journeys for many years to come.”
John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, said:
“I am delighted to see the results of investment into platforms at Carlisle station. The need for tactile surfacing was one of the issues I lobbied for, so it is wonderful to see the platforms brought up to modern standards and fit for all users.”
Joanna Fielding, Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail, said:
“It's great to see this multi-million-pound revamp to Carlisle station's platforms finished and being used by passengers. The resurfacing of platforms one to three means passengers will have a much smoother and brighter experience when travelling through Carlisle.
“The improvements make getting on and off trains a smoother and easier experience and it's another example of Network Rail and the Great North Rail Project upgrading the railway for the future.”
Councillor Keith Little, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Cumbria County Council said:
“I am delighted that this resurfacing work has been completed. The improved platforms will provide a much better surface for station users and complements the ongoing plans the county council is leading to redevelop the station and area around the Citadels in the city centre. Thanks to Network Rail and other partners for their work and commitment to this long-term project which will help to transform Carlisle into a first-class destination to live, work, study and visit.”
The work has been carried out ahead of the anticipated Carlisle Station Gateway project which aims to transform the city's station and further improve connectivity and see's Avanti West Coast working with Carlisle City Council, Cumbria LEP, Network Rail, and other partners.
Very nice. Well done Network Rail and Avanti West Coast.
What about platforms 4 to 8?
That’s it is it, a resurfacing of platforms? When are we going to see something worth all the ‘song and dance’ like getting the wires up over the Transpennine route?
Yes, that’s it! The platform surfaces at Carlisle weren’t particularly bad before these improvements and, though I’m reluctant to criticise ANY improvements, the self-congratulatory stuff from the various officials seems a bit over the top to me. What I’d like to see is a clearance of the weeds and rubbish that cover the tracks through the station throughout the Summer. A re-instatement of the closed station avoiding lines would also be valuable to prevent freight trains needing to come through the station.