Carlisle's city centre war memorial will be moved as part of plans to revamp Carlisle's Greenmarket and Market Square.

The multi-million-pound plans aim to remove cars from the area and transform the space into a lively town hub with the end game being increased footfall in the area. 

To do so, the project will be the beneficiary of £4 million from the Future High Street Fund, dedicated to improving the 6000-square-metre area.

The council has engaged in consultations with the British Legion and has reached an agreement to relocate the memorial and its benches to a more prominent space in the market square. 

It is part of the city's wider transformative plans such as regeneration initiatives in the area, including on Devonshire Street, English Street, Carlisle Station, and at the University of Cumbria's new Citadels Campus - which makes up a combined investment of over £100 million of public funding. 

This week, the project kicked off with ground investigation work conducted by the contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering Limited.

In the upcoming phase, four trees will be removed.

Two of these trees are affected by ash dieback and require removal for safety reasons.

Additionally, two trees situated within the planning area need to be taken down. 

To clarify, the council announced that not every tree marked with orange paint will be removed, following an inadvertent marking of many trees in the local area during survey works.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “The investment in Carlisle city centre is testament to Cumberland Council’s commitment to the city's growth and development.

"The Market Square and Greenmarket project will allow residents and visitors to look forward to an energetic and inviting space.

“Presently, the area poses challenges with numerous cars congesting the space, resulting in potential hazards, it can feel like a real-life dodgem track.

“Recognising the need for change, we envisage a revitalised space that caters to the needs and aspirations of all Cumberland residents, businesses, and visitors who frequent the city centre.

"By prioritising easy and safe access to the area, we are dedicated to promoting positive outcomes for the health and well-being of our entire community, while attracting more footfall and boosting economic activity," he said.