With the UK Government still bogged down in uncertainty over the country’s immediate future, Chancellor Philip Hammond’s Spring Statement was always going to take something of a back seat.

Nevertheless, the £260m which has been committed to the Borderlands Growth Deal should give us all in Carlisle, Cumbria, Northumberland, Dumfries & Galloway and Scottish Borders something to be positive about.

This funding coming in addition to the £102m recently announced for the Carlisle Southern Link Road.

The Borderlands Growth Deal was floated in the 2017 Budget and includes within it four place-based projects, including Carlisle’s Station Gateway, a project Carigiet Cowen have already provided input into as part of a larger consultancy study.

Richard Percival, Director at Carigiet Cowen comments “ Undoubtedly a lot of time and effort has been invested by many individuals and organisations in to securing this funding and their efforts should be applauded. The really hard work of delivering meaningful projects which improve the quality of life for residents and businesses alike across the Borderlands region is the next step. Along with promoting the area as place to visit, work, invest, study and live “