The regeneration of Devonshire Street in Carlisle is a transformative initiative, funded by the UK Government’s Future High Street Fund, aimed at revitalising urban spaces to enhance pedestrian accessibility and support local businesses.
This project focuses on creating a vibrant urban environment through comprehensive public realm works, which included:-
- Widening pavements on both sides of the street
- Introducing new seating, trees, and plants
- Providing cycle racks
- Implementing a single-lane carriageway for vehicles
- Establishing two loading bays
To facilitate these enhancements, existing bus stops and lanes were removed, with a new bus stop relocated to Victoria Viaduct.
The primary goals of the project were to improve the aesthetic and functional quality of the main road and pedestrian routes with enhanced nighttime accessibility, along with increasing the integration of green spaces into the urban environment.
GreenBlue Urban was selected as a key partner for this initiative due to their proven expertise and innovative urban tree planting solutions and award-winning project success. Working alongside WSP Manchester, Curtins – Kendal, Gavin Jones installing contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering enabled a collaborative approach to showcase their ability to meet the specific needs of the client Cumberland Council.
In support GreenBlue Urban were delighted to provide the HydroPlanter Flex rain gardens products which were critical for well publicised flooding to the city centre.
The following products were also selected for the Urban tree planting through the street, GBU RootSPace Soil Cells (400, 800 & 1000 mm deep), RootForm, Root Directors, AnchorPlates and ArborVents. Above ground protection included SettStone and Castle Tree Grilles with Derwent Tree Guards.
These products were chosen for their effectiveness in supporting tree growth within constrained urban environments and UK manufacturing using sustainable materials.
The project faced significant challenges, particularly concerning existing services and utilities. To address these issues, the team minimally diverted existing services and reduced soil volumes to create workable compromises that allowed for the successful installation of the RootSpace Soil Cells.
The outcome of the regeneration project has been met with high satisfaction from stakeholders. The quality and aesthetic appeal of the revamped Devonshire Street have been well-received, although some deviations from the original design intent were noted.
Feedback indicates a strong positive response from the community, further affirming the project’s success in enhancing the urban experience. On August 5th, a celebratory event marked the completion of the Devonshire Street regeneration, drawing hundreds of community members. Supported by Cumberland Council, this event highlighted the enthusiastic response from locals and showcased the transformation of Devonshire Street.
Plans are already in place to incorporate GreenBlue Urban solutions into additional initiatives within Carlisle’s broader town centre upgrade.
This regeneration not only improves the aesthetic quality of the area but also fosters a sense of community and belonging, making Devonshire Street a vibrant hub for residents and visitors alike.
Discover more at:- https://greenblue.com/gb/case-studies/devonshire-street-carlisle/
