OUTGOING Carlisle City Mayor, Pamela Birk has called for action to get the Waverley Viaduct re-opened as a footway and cycle route before it 'gets kicked into the long grass'.

The Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust have a long standing campaign to see the viaduct re-opened as a public footpath and cycleway but are still waiting for transfer of ownership from the Department of Transport.

Cllr Birk visited the Waverley Viaduct in Engine Lonning, Carlisle to see the viaduct on Sunday (May 15) and expressed concern that the exciting plans for the iconic structure remain stalled. 

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She has called for urgent action to breakthrough the delays, saying: "I visited Waverley Viaduct and Trustees, to hear their increasing concerns about the opening of the viaduct as a public footpath. 

"The Trust have strived for 12 years to have the viaduct reopened, having been told they needed a plan, finance, match funding, signatures etc; by the City and County Councils – all of which they have undertaken. 

"I can attest this was in place when I became Mayor in 2021 the petition of signatures having been obtained in 2010. 

"Both public bodies say they have a willingness to reopen the viaduct as a footpath to connect the west of the city with the north." 

"It is now the end of my tenure as Mayor a full year and I am saddened to see little if no progress has been made one authority blaming the other for the lack of movement or agreement! 

She added: "If the money is in place and there is a willingness, I hope that Carlisle will be able to open the viaduct to the public in what is the last year of the City and County Council as we move to a Unitary authority it will probably end up in the long grass."

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