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This is an area which welcomes ambition and sustainable growth. The city of Carlisle and its towns of Cleator Moor, Maryport, Millom and Workington have collectively attracted millions of pounds of government funding for schemes that will provide long lasting benefits for businesses and residents.

There is lots more additional investment too, including the £225m Southern Link Road which will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West and is vital for the economic growth of Carlisle. It will also benefit St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, delivering 10,000 new homes and extensive employment opportunities over the next 30 years.

We've focused on Maryport for this edition and you can also read about the other schemes below.

New investment plans for Maryport revealed

Locals and visitors alike have helped to inspire new investment plans for Maryport which aim to enhance and develop three of its biggest assets - the town’s high street, harbour and promenade. The project plans include a splash park and BMX and skate track, an outdoor event space near the harbourside and a new foodie destination on the prom, as well as improvements to the Wave Centre. Designed to have something to appeal to every age group, and with a new wayfinding scheme to tie them all together, the developments will be completed by Summer 2024 – if the Government gives the go-ahead. The revised proposals now need to be approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities which is providing the funding for the project, and the Council is in the process of drawing up plans to ensure things can happen as quickly as possible if the green light is given. To meet the terms of the Government funding, the project must improve the experience for those living in and visiting the town, drive growth and ensure Maryport’s future viability and Cumberland Council is optimistic that the new masterplan fits that criteria. The new plans bring four key projects together in a scheme which will tie the waterfront to the town centre. Results of the consultation The most popular proposal with those responding to the consultation was a new promenade café, beach shop and a bike hub which could be created on the site of a disused toilet block. This would bring a new attraction to Maryport’s seafront. Improved play facilities for younger and older children were the second most popular option in the consultation. As a result, a splash park could be built, and a specialist track for skateboarders and BMX riders on the harbourside. An upgrade to Shiver Me Timbers playground and a new adventure playground for young children inside the Wave are also part of the proposals. The consultation’s third most popular project is the creation of a flexible outdoor event space near the Aquarium and harbour. The plan is to turn this area into a dedicated event space, suitable for outside performances or markets, which will complement the indoor venue being created at The Carlton on Senhouse Street. The fourth aspect of the plans is an upgrade to the Wave, including the existing gym, a more exciting Clip n’ Climb, the new adventure soft play area, and multipurpose spaces which could be used by all ages. The developments will be funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund. The Maryport Future Town Board has been created to work with the community and the Council, helping form the new plans for the regeneration of Maryport. It is made up of local people, alongside councillors and the MP, and aims to provide some of the foundations for developing the high street and harbour area, not only for visitors but for the town as a whole.  'Everyone can enjoy' The Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer, said: “We have a plan for Maryport which will appeal to all our community – from children to the more mature in years. We can see the affection and enthusiasm everyone who knows Maryport has for the prom and the harbour, and we have listened when people told us there was not enough for young people to do, so we hope these initiatives will make some new destinations that everyone can enjoy. “I am hoping for a swift decision from Government which will allow us to forge ahead with a great development.”

Revamped clock

Christ Church's historic clock in Maryport has been removed and sent for restoration at The Cumbria Clock Company Ltd in Penrith. This is one part of the overall restoration of the landmark building to house Maryport Maritime Museum.

The original clock was donated by Maryport-born Thomas Henry Ismay, founder of the White Star Line which went on to operate the Titanic.

The Cumbria Clock Company has worked on some of the most famous clocks in the world including the one in Westminster Tower, better known as Big Ben, as well as Liverpool's Royal Liver Building, Manchester Town Hall and Hampton Court Palace.

A new art gallery

Maryport's Maritime Museum has moved temporarily to the corner of Senhouse Street and Curzon Street, ahead of it moving into its new home in the revamped Christ Church building. 

It's free to visit and you can find out more details on their website.

The building that the museum has vacated - 1 Senhouse Street - is being transformed into an art gallery and accommodation for an artist in residence. The new Shipping Brow Gallery is due to open in September.

Other projects in Maryport

There are plenty of other regeneration projects happening in Maryport.

The old Carlton Cinema building is being converted into a centre for arts, culture and community. Work on revamping this building is due to start on 25 September when the section of Senhouse Street outside the building will be closed for three weeks to allow demolition of the neighbouring property.

We've also been redeveloping spaces above shops to turn them into accommodation. The Love Maryport Living scheme uses money from the government's Future High Streets Fund. This will bring much needed homes into the centre of the town and bring empty properties back into use. 

These are just some of the schemes currently making Maryport an even better place to live and visit. There's plenty more information on our website. 

Transforming Workington

We are delighted to announce a £10 million investment boost for Workington’s transport, culture and regeneration. Cumberland Council is delivering a new initiative, the Workington Gateway Project, funded by the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) and National Highways, to enhance the junction at Ramsey Brow and widen the A596 at Hall Brow to improve safety and help to develop Workington’s economy.

Carlisle - a growing city

Investment into Millom and Cleator Moor

Cleator Moor secured a Town Deal worth £40.9m with £22.5 million coming from the Government’s Towns Fund and a further £18.4m from match funders.

The Cleator Moor Town Deal will oversee the delivery of four projects that will provide a long term boost to levels of health and economic prosperity in Cleator Moor, as well as employment opportunities and inward investment.

Millom will see £20.6m from the Government’s Town Deal fund with a further £8.7m in match funding. The Towns Fund aims to provide investment to drive long term economic growth. The money will be used to deliver transformational projects outlined in the Millom Town Investment Plan

Carlisle Southern Link Road

The new £225m Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR) is being built now.

The new road will connect Junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West and is vital for the economic growth of Carlisle and to deliver St Cuthbert’s Garden Village that will deliver 10,000 new homes over the next 30 years and employment opportunities, bringing significant benefits to the city and the wider county. Keep up to date with everything on the CSLR Facebook page.