Councillors are poised to support a funding strategy that could make the city's long-hoped for Southern Link Road a reality.

Described as the "missing link" in Carlisle's currently incomplete ring road system, the proposed new five-mile long road would join the A595 south west of the city with the M6 at junction 42.

Supporters say the £113m project would have a transformational effect on Carlisle's economy, boosting growth and jobs and paving the way for a new 10,000 home garden village.

But Cumbria County Council faces competition from 43 other local authorities to win funding from a £4.1 billion pot of government cash.

Carlisle City Council's ruling executive committee is now on the brink of backing a plan that would see the authority hand over £5m - matching an identical contribution from Cumbria County Council - to get the ambitious road project off the ground.

The funding would not mean a rise in council tax as the money would come from a loan - and it would eventually be reimbursed by the road's developer.

"The biggest thing would be getting the actual funding bid approved by government, but agreeing a funding strategy will be an important milestone in the process of delivering the Garden Village," said Jane Meek, Carlisle City Council's director of economic development.

In her report to the council's six-person executive committee, Mrs Meek says the proposed road would ease city centre congestion, boost connectivity with west Cumbria, and effectively unlock the proposed St Cuthbert's Garden Village scheme.

This ambitious long-term plan includes the prospect of up to 10,000 new homes being built.

Experts say the approval of either of the two south Carlisle projects - the Link Road and the Garden Village - will make the other far more likely to win funding.

"The Southern Link Road is the missing link in Carlisle's infrastructure," said Carlisle City Council leader Colin Glover.

"We already know how successful Carlisle's northern relief road has been; and the Southern Link Road would be transformational.

"We have an ambitious vision for Carlisle - an ambition to grow our working age population and to meet our housing needs, delivering homes for the future.

"The Carlisle Southern Link Road is crucial to that. We went forward with joint consultation and found there was overwhelming support. "

Mr Glover said the city council was working closely with Cumbria County Council on the Link Road scheme, which would help unlock the city's Garden Village project.

Mr Glover's fellow councillor Dr Les Tickner, responsible for finance, said: "The Carlisle Southern Link Road is a really exciting project.

"It would unlock jobs, growth, and housing through the St Cuthbert's Garden Village development, so it's a winner all round. Our in-principle support for a funding mechanism shows our commitment to working with the county council on the link road."

A government decision on the county council's funding bid for the new road scheme (its outline business case) is expected in November.

If the bid succeeds, the cash would come from the so-called Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Officials say councils bidding for infrastructure funding have to demonstrate local support for the scheme - and prove that they can provide "up-front" funding.

Mrs Meek's report states: "There is an explicit request with the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) guidance to confirm and evidence local support, including that from [district councils] where applications are being submitted by county councils in two-tier authorities...

"Within the Outline Business Case [for the link road], the total cost of the scheme is £113m.

"Viability work estimates that developers of the new homes within St Cuthbert's Garden Village would be able to contribute £10m towards the cost of the link road.

"This would equate to around £1,000 per dwelling...

"To be able to demonstrate that the road can be delivered in advance of any housing being developed... there will be a requirement for developer contributions to be forward funded."

This means that £10m cost must be temporarily provided up-front by the local authorities involved - the city council and county council.

Mrs Meek recommends the executive committee supports the county council's link road Outline Business Case and backs the principle of £5m forward funding in its 2019/20 budget.

Ultimately, councillors would have to formally approve handing over that cash.

The report adds: "Delivery of the Carlisle Southern Link Road will, by directly unlocking St Cuthbert's Garden Village and giving rise to wider strategic benefits, have a significant, direct, and positive impact on a number of Carlisle Plan priorities."

The Council's executive committee will consider Mrs Meek's report on August 20.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said there had been tensions between the city council and the county council in the past but they were working extremely well together on the Southern Link Road project.

"It's a hugely important project," said the MP, who has lobbied ministers to back the scheme and the Garden Village.

"Most people recognise that the city's northern relief road has been very beneficial to the city and the southern link road will be equally beneficial, opening up connectivity to west Cumbria.

"It creates space for our city to naturally develop and grow in the long term, and creates a positive legacy for future generations."