CARLISLE is a city on the up with an 'unprecedented' amount of investment going into various projects and a rich cultural heritage.

That's according to city residents and representatives, who have hit back against a national newspaper article describing the city as the 'worst' in the UK.

The Telegraph newspaper recently listed all UK cities in order from best to worst 'according to science', with Carlisle placing last.

The newspaper judged each UK city on four criteria – ‘hospitality and amenities’; ‘culture and heritage’; ‘transport’, and; ‘nature and green spaces’.

In their words: “(Carlisle) was found to be lagging behind in Michelin restaurants as well as highly-rated pubs, Airbnb rooms as well as swanky hotels, museums as well as crime.”

They added the Hadrian’s Wall path is ‘the least interesting section and a bit of a non-event’.

But, they said it’s ‘not a horrible town’, adding the castle is ‘not as ugly as some have claimed’.

They said Carlisle has a ‘very liveable size’, and referenced transport links like the M6, West Coast Main Line, and the scenic train to Skipton and Leeds.

“(Carlisle) falls down on amenities and local transport and, perhaps because the nearby Lakes and Dales have so much solidly well-supported tourism, it’s hard for a middling sometime textile town to compete,” they wrote.

Councillors representing city wards slammed the broadsheet for what is surely a miscalculation.

Carlisle resident John Mallinson, Conservative councillor for Houghton and Irthington, said it surprised him.

“We can’t deny Carlisle has its issues, as do other cities, but we have good things going on," he said, naming the remodelled Sands Centre and Devonshire Street works as ways the city is improving.

“We have an unprecedented amount of money coming into the city, primarily from the central government, in various forms, which totals in excess of half a billion pounds.

“I’m not from here but I’ve lived here for 30 years, and have always found Carlisle to be a delightful place to live,” he added.

Geoff Mitchell, Conservative councillor for Wetheral, agreed the city could be improved, "but so could every other city, [and] quite a number I would say are in a far worse position".

He explained a lot of the perceived high-street decline is due to people’s actions ‘going to order things from well-known online delivery merchants’ which charge 'outrageously low' prices for products.

“The general public have a lot to answer for. I used to be a licensee and publican, and my mantra was always ‘use it or lose it’.

“I’m quite proud of Carlisle. I was brought up in the Eden Valley, came back to Carlisle from Liverpool in 1980, and you can see ongoing work in the city centre, such as the upgrade of the station forecourt, the change in the Greenmarket, and Devonshire Street.

“Everybody could be more positive,” he said.

Chris Wills, Lib Dem councillor for Upperby, slammed the piece: “Not only is it unfair, it’s stupid, and anybody who’s spent time in Carlisle will know it has so much good to offer.

“It has a rich cultural heritage, an incredible history, and is a springboard destination for lots of the great areas around us.”

He agreed with one aspect of the report – transport – which he said he’s working to change.

“The East-West connections are very poor (referencing links to Newcastle), and I would like to see infinitely better road links going to West Cumbria, and I’ve been an advocate for sustainable travel.”

He said greener buses powered by hydrogen which are being trialled in parts of the country should be in Cumbria.

Add to that a newer road to replace the A595, it would open up more economic opportunities, he said.

“I’m in the group trying to pioneer the St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, this will add a new dimension to Carlisle, and with 10,000 new homes it could bring more people to the area.

“We’re looking at planning an ecosystem in this development, it won’t be your average executive-style housing estate.

“I wonder if The Telegraph even knew about it.”

News & Star readers gave their thoughts on the matter on social media, with some viewing the analysis as fair, and others dismissing it as ignorance.

Among hundreds of comments, Michelle Johnson said: “I agree with the poor transport and lack of amenities (although fortunately growing).

“But one thing we have is great restaurants.

“Michelin-star restaurants are generally less about the food, and more about artistry and aesthetics. Give me tasty, filling food any day over a few stars.”

Gulab Miah added to the defence: “Carlisle is in my opinion one of the best place to live and bring up your family.

“People are great, there's also enough mix of culture and beautiful places to visit within and around the city.”