CARLISLE'S MP John Stevenson is pushing forward with calls to name an area by the city's station Elizabeth Square in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, £20 million of funding has been allocated for the Carlisle Station Gateway project.

Former Carlisle MP Eric Martlew proposed that the square should be named after the late monarch last October 2021 following the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Mr Stevenson said having had time to 'reflect' on Her Majesty's death - he is pushing forward with the renaming of the square.

Mr Stevenson said: “Like so many of us I have been reflecting on the life of Her Majesty The Queen and the steadfast and unwavering devotion she showed our country over 70 years of service.

"I, again like many, have been overwhelmed by the many positive stories and anecdotes from people who were fortunate enough to come into contact with her either in person or by letter.

"Many of those people being from Carlisle and Cumbria.

"Last year I backed a suggestion by Eric Martlew, my predecessor in Carlisle, to rename the proposed George Square, as part of the Government’s Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal funded, Carlisle Station gateway development.

READ MORE: MP backs Martlew's proposal for Carlisle railway station

"I have since run a poll among constituents and found that 96 per cent of those that responded were in favour of a permanent memorial to Her Majesty, with 38 per cent favouring a memorial garden, 37 per cent a statue and 28 per cent a piece of named woodland.

"There were also a large amount of suggestions to rename a number of local buildings from the hospital to the airport to the Sands Centre.

"I think the naming of Elizabeth Square would be an excellent starting point and I have written to the Chief Executives of Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council to ask them to ensure this happens.”

Speaking about Mr Stevenson's calls on the project, former MP Eric Martlew said: "I'm glad that John is supporting this.

READ MORE: Ex-Carlisle MP wants square to be named after the Queen

"If we are going to go ahead we have to make it something worthy of Her Majesty, it has got to be something a bit special.

"I was disappointed that it actually didnt happen for the celebrations (Platinum Jubilee) back in June."

Cumbria County Council in joint partnership with Carlisle City Council, Network Rail, and Avanti West Coast have developed designs for the station.