TWO Carlisle parks have seen the installation of new chess tables funded by the central government - but the scheme's cost has raised some eyebrows.

The two tables, placed in Bitts Park and at Hammond's Pond, each cost £2,500 and are part of a £250,000 levelling up fund which has installed chess tables across the country.

The Levelling Up White Paper was a key manifesto pledge in the Conservative government's 2019 election manifesto, with the government introducing the policy to 'spread opportunity more equally across the UK'.

The levelling-up project has led to funding being given to various projects across the north, with the chess tables just the latest example. But debates are now being had as to whether the tables are 'improving people's lives' or if they demonstrate a 'check mate' moment on the levelling up project.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson said: “I’m fully supportive of the concept of levelling up and for me it’s about two things.

"Improving people’s lives where they already live, and closing the gap between more and less prosperous parts of the country.

"Here in Carlisle there are numerous examples of levelling up in action - in our infrastructure, garden village housing plans, at our hospital, in our city centre etc., but there’s more to do. This investment is just a small piece in a bigger picture.

"If Cumberland Council have applied for this funding, and more people get to enjoy the outdoors, and the game itself, who am I to turn this investment away?”

Putting Cumbria First community activist Colin May has a different view on the scheme, believing it shows 'how little the government understands the reality of daily lives' of people across the north.

He said: "Given the current economic climate - we have people who are having to rely on food banks to feed their families in the city.

"The spending of thousands on two chess boards that will benefit very, very few is just beyond belief.

"The government in handing out this money in what is supposed to be levelling up money are showing just how little they understand the reality of the daily lives of people in Carlisle and across the North.

"It’s almost as if they think sticking a few chess tables in parks will pacify the natives up north for a bit with a shiny new distraction in the park.

"The reality is the people of the North are tired of the lack of proper investment and the decades of being the poor relations up North. I think this latest example by government is a checkmate moment."

A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “As we had previously received government funding for Petteril Valley in Carlisle, the government gave us an additional direct funding award.

"This was for the installation of chess picnic tables and seating in two of our green spaces in Carlisle. These were put in place in March this year after we received £5,000 funding.

"This funding was specific to this grant scheme and could not be used for any other use.

“The picnic sets are in place in Bitts Park and Hammond’s Pond, both near to the play areas to hopefully encourage younger park users to get involved too.

"We have also contacted the English Chess Federation and Cumbria Chess Association, and are looking to purchase some suitably robust outdoor chess pieces which could be sited in the café at Hammond’s Pond and made available for public use during opening hours.”

A DLUHC spokesperson said: “We’re giving local authorities £250,000 to install chess tables in public places, so that we can give people access to a free activity in their area.

“These tables will support our communities by improving local green spaces, and will inspire the next generation of players by encouraging people to play together.”