LABOUR and Conservative councillors locked horns over the best way to reopen the Carlisle Waverley Viaduct.

Labour’s motion said the council should support the Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust to open the viaduct to pedestrians and cyclists; fund the preparation and issue of the public path creation order and underwrite any potential compensation and legal claims up to £30,000; said the money should be allocated from existing budgets or reserves; and the order be prepared and issued before the end of the month.

It was rejected in favour of an amended motion by the Conservative group.

Among other things, the amendment wanted legally binding assurances from the trust that funding for the works were in place before approving the order.

They also disputed the timeframe.