CUMBRIA’S prospects for economic recovery as the UK begins to emerge from the pandemic were today given a multi-million pound boost thanks to an historic investment deal.

Key players in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal today formally signed up to a ten-year growth deal.

Worth at least £350m for five local authority areas, including Cumbria, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is the UK's first ever cross-border agreement of its kind.

It aims to drive economic activity across the region and is likely to create up to 5,500 jobs.

Cumbria County Council Leader Stewart Young hailed the deal - formally signed by key players at 9.30am today - as the most significant investment programme for the area in decades.

It includes:

* £20m for the Carlisle Station Gateway, transforming the city's railway station into a regional gateway and transport hub, with connections across the Borderlands area, and paving the way for the arrival of HS2 in the future.

* £50m for the Carlisle Citadels project, transforming the city's grade 1 listed Citadels buildings into a new city centre campus for the University of Cumbria, expanding opportunities for local students and hopefully drawing in new students.

* £32.2m for a Digital Borderlands initiative, boosting digital and mobile connectivity to help business performance and those living and working in dispersed rural communities across Cumbria.

* £18m for projects in Cumbria as part of Destination Borderlands, a scheme promoting the Borderlands area as a key visitor destination. It includes a series of projects along Hadrian’s Wall (from Wallsend to Ravenglass) to improve the visitor experience. A further £6m is allocated to the ‘See More Lake District Cycling’ project.

* £50m investment to boost economic activity in across the Borders area as well as £31m for green energy projects to help the area cut carbon emissions and become carbon neutral.

"This is the biggest deal I've been involved in during all my time on the Council," said Mr Young.

"It's a key milestone in a long journey, and fantastic news for the county, resulting from close working with the UK and Scottish Governments over several months and years to get to this point.

"The Deal is ambitious and will bring a much-needed economic boost post Covid-19 to aid our recovery in attracting tourists and businesses to Cumbria as well as enhancing the area for our residents and local communities." It's not going to solve all our problems. But it's a significant investment which we'll need as we come out of the pandemic."

Carlisle City Council Leader John Mallinson said: “The Deal is the first cross border Deal, covering the largest area of any of the growth deals agreed to date.

"It is truly distinctive and will provide even more investment to Carlisle and Cumbria.

“The Deal will also provide crucial support to our region’s recovery from the Covid-19 emergency and ensure we set in place strong foundations on which to deliver inclusive and sustainable growth.

"Carlisle will benefit from multi-million investment that will result in transformative schemes that will improve our infrastructure, historical assets and economy.”

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said he was delighted with the deal.

“Investment into the Carlisle Station Gateway and the Carlisle Citadels projects will provide strategic and important improvements to our city.

"It has been great to work with local authorities and MPs across the Borderlands region and I think everyone has benefited from working more closely.”

University of Cumbria Vice Chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell said: “We are delighted that the deal has been formally signed today and the transformational Citadels project, in partnership with Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council, is on track to progress.

“All partners have worked incredibly hard over many months to get to this point and we thank everyone involved for their tremendous commitment to our city, region and university.

“The role of Cumbria’s university in supporting individuals, our businesses, economy and communities to thrive has never been more important, and this strategic investment will extend our impact and reach further and for many decades to come.”

The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is the largest of any local growth deal negotiated with the UK and Scottish Governments and the first cross-border deal.

It aims to deliver 5,500 job opportunities, attract more than four million extra tourists to the area, improve mobile and digital connections and unlock investment in towns generating £1.1billion for the Borderlands economy.

* For more information visit the partnership website at www.Borderlandsgrowth.com