Community Celebrates Opening of Route 38: Carlisle’s New Cargo Link

The opening event, held on 29 October, was a fantastic opportunity to bring together local residents, community groups, and cycling enthusiasts to mark the completion of this important infrastructure project. 

Special thanks go to the residents of Cargo for their warm welcome and continued support throughout the development of the cycleway. The cooperation and community spirit of the village have been invaluable in helping to deliver a safer, more sustainable travel option for everyone.

Funded by Active Travel England, Cumberland Council, Cycle Carlisle, and Kingmoor Parish Council, Route 38 now provides a key connection between Cargo and Carlisle’s Northern Bypass, linking homes, schools, shops, and workplaces, and making it easier for people to choose cycling, walking, or wheeling for everyday journeys. As part of the Carlisle Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), this project reflects our ongoing commitment to reducing car dependency, improving air quality, and promoting healthier lifestyles across the region.

The council also thanks Rebike Community Cycle Hub for hosting a free pop-up bike repair workshop at Cargo Playground during the event. Their support helped ensure that everyone could get the most out of their cycling experience.

Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:

“It was wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate the opening of the Cargo Cycleway. This route is a meaningful step toward a cleaner, greener Carlisle, and we’re excited to see it become a well-used part of our sustainable travel network.

“Health and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at Cumberland Council. Creating a shared access route that helps people get from A to B safely, whether on foot or on wheels, is something we’re really proud of. More schemes like this are on the way, so watch this space.”

Cycle Carlisle said 

“We’re pleased to see the Cargo Cycleway open at last, it’s been a long time in the planning, but it will give the people of Cargo and those working nearby the opportunity to cycle safely to work, school, shopping and for leisure. We hope it will be the beginning of a much wider network of connected cycleways through and around Carlisle and we look forward to seeing more active travel routes like this. We would also like to thank Cllr Trevor Allison for championing this route over the last few years and helping to secure the funding” 

For more information on upcoming regeneration projects and active travel routes, visit our website.