CUMBERLAND Council has thanked members of the public for weighing in on Carlisle's Devonshire and English Street consultation. 

Put forward to the public were the proposed plans which included additional outdoor seating, street furniture, benches, cycle parking, trees, and plants.

The schemes, funded by the UK Government's Future High Street Fund and Town Deal Fund, aim to create a meaningful activity zone for the community, with more outdoor spaces for people to walk and spend time.

The council said the consultation, which closed on July 1, was met with a 'favourable response'. 

In the following weeks, the complete consultation report will be made available on Cumberland Council's website.

A spokesperson from Cumberland Council said: "The current phase of the project consultation has come to an end, and we are pleased to note that the project was met with a favourable response overall.

"We extend our gratitude to all those who dedicated their time to provide us with their valuable insights, which have proven to be both engaging and beneficial.

"In the forthcoming weeks, the complete consultation report will be made available on Cumberland Council's website," they said. 

Whilst a bid is being made to enhance and encourage further footfall to the area, Devonshire Street and English Street will continue to provide vehicle access.

Previously, the discussion sparked a mixed reaction from News & Star readers - with many raising questions about the practicalities and whether or not the money could be better spent elsewhere, with some questioning what will happen to the traffic once the road is closed for work, as the location is already a busy thoroughfare. 

During the consultation, drop-in sessions were held at Le Gall on Devonshire Street as well as a pop-up at the Hawker Festival. 

The redevelopment of the site comes at a time of continued investment into the city centre, particularly with the nearby regeneration projects at Carlisle Station and the University of Cumbria’s new Citadels Campus.