Cumberland Council is delighted to announce a milestone in the delivery of the Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR) with the installation of two steel sculptures.
Crafted by local artist Ellie Barden of Grace Forge, the installations at the new Durdar and Brisco roundabouts serve as a strong visual indicator that the major infrastructure project is taking definitive shape.
The sculptures highlight the commitment the council is making to ensuring the CSLR project leaves a positive legacy for the area. Learning directly from public feedback and from the Carlisle Northern Development Route, the council has integrated these new landmarks into the project to ensure the new route has a strong, unique, and recognisable identity.
Chosen following community engagement in 2024, the sculptures are crafted from durable, low maintenance weathered steel. Weighing approximately four tonnes each, they are designed to last and celebrate Cumbria’s deep-rooted agricultural community.
The Mare and Foal – Durdar Roundabout
Situated on the doorstep of Carlisle Racecourse, this piece celebrates the city’s rich equestrian history. Carlisle is proudly home to the historic Carlisle Bell, who first contested in 1599 and is officially recognised as the world's oldest sporting trophy. The sculpture serves not only as a nod to this incredible local legacy but also acts as a welcoming gateway to the future St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, symbolising growth, regeneration, and new beginnings.
The Limousin Bull – Brisco Roundabout
Standing tall at the historic site of the Cumberland Show, this sculpture was in part inspired by "Graiggoch Rambo," the magnificent Limousin bull that made international headlines in May 2022 when he sold for a world-record 180,000gns (£189,000) at the Carlisle auction mart. The bull represents the strength, resilience, and world-class quality of Cumbria’s rural community, offering a proud welcome to residents and visitors.
Cllr Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“These sculptures are a celebration of our local heritage and the strong rural identity that underpins communities across Cumberland. They showcase the talent of a local artist, create distinct landmarks for the new route, and reflect the pride we have in our past and our ambitions for the future. The Carlisle Southern Link Road is moving closer to completion, and these installations mark a really exciting moment in the project.”
The installation of these two sculptures marks another important step in the delivery of the Carlisle Southern Link Road. The remaining sections are due to open following a full Road Safety Review which is planned for April.
