Cumberland Council is set to begin work on a major upgrade of Carlisle's Market Hall bus hub, improving facilities for passengers and enhancing one of the city's busiest public transport gateways.
The project is funded by the Bus Services Improvement Programme (Department for Transport), to improve bus services and infrastructure which compliments part of Cumberland Council's wider programme of investment in Carlisle city centre, which has now attracted more than £100 million of public funding for regeneration projects.
The project will see the renovation of two large bus shelters attached to the north elevation of Carlisle Market Hall, alongside the installation of new sandstone paving, replacement bins and benches, and four new lighting columns. The improvements will create a more welcoming environment for bus users while complementing the historic Market Hall building and recent city centre regeneration works.
Phase 1, which will begin on 1 September 2026, will see the installation of new sandstone paving, four new lighting columns and new street furniture around the bus hub area. These improvements will create a more welcoming environment for passengers while complementing the historic Market Hall building and recent city centre regeneration works. All works in this phase will be delivered by Cumberland Council's in-house Highways teams.
To allow the works to be carried out safely, the footway area within the site will be fully closed to pedestrians and buses during this period. Temporary bus stops will be provided on Drovers Lane next to the former Debenhams store, and on Lowther Street near the former Debenhams store and the Howard Arms pub. Access from the north entrance of Carlisle Market Hall will also be unavailable while the works are underway.
However, 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 and ready to welcome customers. The footway area will remain closed for the duration of the works and will reopen once Phase 1 is complete.
Working hours will generally be Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm, with some weekend working also likely, subject to weather conditions.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026. Once complete, the site will fully reopen to buses and pedestrians in time for the busy Christmas period.
Ahead of the works getting underway, Cumberland Council will be holding a drop-in information session on Friday 21 August, from 12pm to 5pm in the communal area of Carlisle Market Hall. Residents, businesses and bus users are invited to come along and speak directly with members of the project team to find out more about the scheme, ask questions and discuss any specific requirements or concerns they may have. The session will also provide an opportunity for the council to listen to feedback and work with those affected to help minimise disruption wherever possible.
Phase 2 is scheduled to begin in early January 2027 and will focus on the renovation of the two large bus shelters attached to the north elevation of Carlisle Market Hall. The shelters will receive new roofs, upgraded LED lighting and redecoration to match their existing appearance.
While detailed arrangements are still being finalised, it is likely that the site will again need to be temporarily closed to buses and pedestrians during Phase 2, with alternative bus stop arrangements put in place. The council will work closely with the appointed contractor and bus operators to minimise disruption wherever possible.
Phase 2 is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete, after which the site will fully reopen to buses and pedestrians.
The installation of new digital display boards and real-time passenger information within the renovated shelters will form part of a future project, with timescales to be confirmed.
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.
"The project will create a more attractive, welcoming and comfortable environment for bus passengers while complementing the wider regeneration work taking place across the city centre.
"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.
“Throughout the project, we will work closely with local residents, businesses and stakeholders to ensure they are kept informed, have opportunities to raise any questions and that we continue to listen to feedback as the works progress. We will also be holding a drop-in session before works begin, giving people the opportunity to speak directly with the project team and discuss any specific requirements they may have.
“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, whose businesses play such an important role in the city centre. Your continued support will be greatly appreciated while these improvements are being delivered
“Once complete, the upgraded facilities will provide a better experience for passengers and further support sustainable travel across Carlisle."
The bus hub project is one of a number of regeneration schemes helping to transform Carlisle city centre. Recent investments have already transformed key parts of the city, with major improvements completed on Devonshire Street, English Street, Carlisle Library, Greenmarket and Market Square. The city's regeneration programme continues to gather momentum, with work progressing on the Carlisle Station Gateway. Together, these projects are helping to create a greener, more vibrant and better-connected city centre.
For the latest information on the works and temporary bus stop arrangements, residents and passengers are encouraged to visit Cumberland Council's website and follow the council's social media channels.
For any queries or to discuss specific access requirements, contact the Highways Hotline on 0300 373 3736.