The scheme aims to provide a more enticing ‘gateway’ to the city with enhanced entrances and exits to the station, plus new parking arrangements. The Grade II listed building is used by two million passengers a year and serves as a rail interchange to the Borders region.

“The redevelopment aims to boost economic prosperity by attracting people to live, study and work in the area,” a Cumbria County Council spokesman said. “By improving the station and its facilities, we want to encourage visitors to come again, help young people to stay, make the station work better for the public, and stimulate investment in Carlisle.”

A public consultation earlier this autumn set out plans to make the station more accessible and easier to navigate and to enhance the appearance of the historic building, while supporting an expected growth in passenger numbers.

Early next year, the outline business case will be submitted to Government, which has allocated £15M of funding for the scheme through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.

A spokesman for a local community rail group welcomed the redevelopment plan. “Carlisle is an old, historic station and the city is a major tourist destination. Improving the station would be of benefit to overseas visitors.”

Mott MacDonald’s regional director for the North West region Chris Hardwick said: “We are proud to be involved with the Carlisle station redevelopment project, which will help provide a station ready to support the continued economic growth of Carlisle.

“This project will also support passengers and visitors using the station, new commercial and retail opportunities, and as they travel to and from the station by sustainable and accessible forms of transport.”

(Photograph: Geof Sheppard and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)