A SECOND public consultation on two 'ambitious' design options to transform Carlisle's Citadel rail station and its surrounding area is set to launch.

Cumbria County Council are seeking the views of businesses, commuters, residents and visitors when the next feedback phase gets underway.

The public consultation will take place between Friday, January 24, and Friday, February 14.

Last September, the first public consultation took place to ensure that project objectives were correct and that high-level proposals were supported. Following feedback from this consultation, the council have revealed that two design options were developed which form the basis of this latest consultation.

From Friday, people will be able to see the two distinct design options for improving the station and have their say online at www.cumbria.gov.uk/CSGC or in-person.

Drop-in sessions to chat with council representatives and share views will be held on Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25 at the railway station between 8am and 5pm.

Another set of events will take place on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1 from 10am to 4pm at the Lanes Shopping Centre.

A display will also be in place throughout the consultation in the railway station and students and staff from the University of Cumbria will be consulted on campus in the city.

The project is being developed jointly by Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council working with Avanti, Network Rail and Cumbria LEP as key partners.

By improving the railway station and its facilities, partners want to encourage visitors to come again, help young people to stay, make the station work better for the public, and stimulate investment in Carlisle.

Councillor Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “Our plans to improve Carlisle Railway Station are progressing and we’re now looking for people’s views on two options.

"We want to make sure we design a scheme that meets the needs of the station's users, as well as enhancing the attractiveness of the station as the gateway to Carlisle city centre and the wider Borderlands area.

“The Government has allocated £15 million of funding through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal as the first phase of the Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels project, subject to a business case being approved to secure this investment.”

Councillor John Mallinson, leader of Carlisle City Council, said: "The Carlisle Station Gateway and Citadels project will provide opportunities to improve the access arrangements, parking and will act as a catalyst for investment opportunities.”

Carlisle Railway Station is a key part of the national rail network and accommodates more than two million passengers every year, acting as a major interchange for the entire Borderlands region and providing access to branch-line services from the west coast mainline to the Cumbrian Coast, Tyne Valley, Settle to Carlisle and Glasgow and south western lines.

To find out more, visit: www.cumbria.gov.uk/CSGC.