Work has continued behind the scenes as University of Cumbria prepares to start building its new campus at The Citadels site in Carlisle city centre.

The University has obtained possession of various properties on English Street and Victoria Viaduct, with plans to vacate the remaining occupied properties on English Street throughout the summer. Concurrently, the University of Cumbria and Cumberland Council persist in collaborative efforts towards land assembly, nearing completion of agreements for the transfer of council-owned land and property crucial to the project.

Further surveys and ground investigations have also been completed, in order to finalise the designs, ahead of moving into the construction phase. A Contract Notice has now been issued inviting expressions of interest in tendering for the building contract for the next stage of the project.

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University of Cumbria Chief Operating Officer, Mark Swindlehurst said: "We have a fantastic design ready to go and will now be going through a tender process to select a new contractor with a view to building work starting on site in early 2025. It’s an exciting time for the university, the wider city and region, as we move towards realising our vision and the next phase of delivery for this transformational project.

"I'd like to thank SRM for all their work over the last two years getting us to this point and I know that they will be supporting us from the side-lines."

The Carlisle Citadels campus project has been developed by the University of Cumbria and Cumberland Council (previously Cumbria County Council and Carlisle City Council) with Cumbria LEP as a key partner.

The project's funding is sourced from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) via the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, along with contributions from the University of Cumbria. Additionally, funds for the Carlisle Business Exchange Centre are allocated from the Carlisle Town Deal Fund.

SRM, in collaboration with the university since March 2022, has secured tenders for two significant infrastructure projects, prompting their decision to prioritise these endeavours.

Grant Findlay, Executive Managing Director of Buildings, Sir Robert McAlpine, stated: "We will watch with pride as The Citadels campus starts to take shape and will continue to support the project through our supply chain. This is an exciting project for whoever takes over the reins and we look forward to seeing the finished campus."