The University of Cumbria is still awaiting a decision from the government over their request to cover an £8 million funding shortfall for the major Citadels project.

The university had originally pledged to give £23.5million to the £77million Borderlands Partnership project but has since requested to pay £15.5million.

The request for the additional £8million funding is still being decided by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has put a stop to some large scale, industrial projects due to what she claims is the ‘dire state’ of the public finances left by the Tories and a further update on major public infrastructure projects is expected in the autumn budget at the end of the month.

Other major projects which have been put on hold by the government in Cumbria include the Border Railway feasibility study and the £1 billion A66 dualling project.

The project is set to ‘transform’ the city centre, with a brand-new campus being built in and amongst the historic citadels.

Properties on English Street and Victoria Viaduct have been purchased and vacated ahead of the build which was given planning permission in August 2022.

In a report sent to the Borderlands Partnership, the university said it is suffering with “intense inflationary pressures, increasing employer pension contributions and increased utility costs” which have all contributed to the request.

The university cited that tuition fees have remained at £9,250 since 2017 and haven’t increased with inflation, representing a ‘significant’ reduction in value.

The request for new funding was made in May – the same month that Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) pulled out as contractors for the project - although there is no suggestion the two actions are linked.

The university have said that they are going through a tender process for a new contractor and are aiming to start work on site in early 2025.

A spokesperson for University of Cumbria said: “We, along with all partners involved, remain fully committed to delivering the new Citadels campus in Carlisle.

READ MORE: Government urged to scrap A66 Scotch Corner dualling

“At its May meeting, the Borderlands Partnership Board agreed to support a request for additional funding for the project.

“In the meantime, work has continued behind the scenes as we prepare to start building our new campus at The Citadels site in Carlisle city centre and we are currently going through a tender process to select a new contractor with a view to building work starting on site in early 2025.

“It is an exciting time for the university and the wider city, as we move towards realising our vision and as we move into the next phase of delivery for this transformational project.”