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Also in this week's edition:
It turns out our wheelie bins are making headlines - quite literally! One of our Cumberland Council bins was recently spotted over 300 miles away in Southend-on-Sea after going missing - leading to reports online and in the papers.
When your bin fancies a holiday… it can go a wheelie, wheelie long way!
Big thanks to our colleagues at Southend Council for sharing the photographic proof. Whether it rolled its way down the country, hitched a secret lift, or simply fancied a seaside escape with fish and chips on the pier, our bin certainly had quite the summer adventure!
So, while we can’t promise all our bins will become celebrities, this is a good reminder to look after yours - just in case they get ideas about wandering off on their own adventures.
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You can now use a new suite of online reporting forms making it easier for you to report environmental issues such as dog fouling, fly tipping, littering, and more, to us.
The new system allows you to report problems directly from your smartphone or device while out and about, as well as receive updates on your reports. As they are web-based they also work on laptops and computers.
This marks the first time a unified approach has been adopted across the whole of Cumberland, streamlining the process for you and our teams.
The forms are now live and accessible via the Cumberland Council website.
The new forms replace the online services previously provided by the myCumberland (formerly myAllerdale) app and e-forms, as well as the e-forms previously used by residents in the former Carlisle City Council area.
Residents in the former Copeland area can now report incidents electronically for the first time.
Users of the myCumberland app are being redirected to the new forms, before it is switched off in a few weeks.
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The start of the new school year has seen hundreds more children in Cumberland benefitting from free school meals thanks to the launch of an automatic enrolment system.
This initiative ensures that every eligible child receives a nutritious meal at school without the need for families to apply, and is part of Cumberland Council’s commitment to supporting families and tackling child poverty.
Thanks to the new system, 578 children who were previously eligible but not claiming have been enrolled in time for the start of term.
Schools will also directly benefit from an additional £750k in pupil premium funding, which can be used to support teaching, learning, and wellbeing initiatives—helping to close the attainment gap and improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
You can watch Cllr Lisa Hinton speak about the new initiative on our YouTube account.
We are proposing to install a new Puffin Crossing on the A597, Church Road/Main Road in Harrington. This initiative aims to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren, along this busy route.
Work is scheduled to begin on 26 October 2025, with temporary traffic signals in place for approximately two weeks to ensure the installation proceeds smoothly and safely.
Staff and residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal by 3 October 2025:
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Post: Highways Depot, Joseph Noble Road, Lillyhall, Workington, CA14 4JH
On Sunday 7 September, Cumbria came together for the Baton of Hope - a national suicide prevention relay with a powerful message of remembrance, resilience, and community.
Several of our employees took part in carrying the baton, shining a light on mental health stigma, and affirming that hope and support are always possible. These highlights reflect the strength and compassion shown on a day when every voice mattered.
The RNLI is well known as the charity that saves lives at sea, but its vital work extends far beyond lifeboats and lifeguards. A major part of its mission is prevention - stopping emergencies before they happen.
Through its dedicated Water Safety team, the RNLI works closely with communities and partners to reduce preventable incidents across coastal and inland waterways, including beaches, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and canals.
The RNLI is now seeking new Water Safety Advisers in the Workington/Cumbria area. This volunteer role is a chance to make a real difference by sharing life-saving knowledge and helping to protect local communities.
To learn more, interested volunteers are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming online information sessions via Microsoft Teams. These sessions will provide an overview of Water Safety volunteering and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions:
Alongside our partners Tivoli Group Limited we'll be taking action to remove a cherry tree which is located in our car park in Peter Street, Workington next week (w/c 22 September).
The tree has outgrown its base and is causing damage to the car park wall, so we'll be removing it to help keep people safe and will look to reinstate the site at a later date.
While there may be a little bit of disruption accessing the car park, the site will remain open throughout the works.
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The new Prom café in Maryport is ready to open its doors for food, drink and some of the best views in the county.
With its location right on the seashore, looking out over the Solway Firth, this promises to be a real destination. The venue, which will be called Solway View by Redby Coffee, has began serving simple hot and cold drinks and cakes, growing the menu over the following weeks.
The café will also have accessible public toilets which will be free for everyone to use whenever the venue is open.
Operated by Jay Kirby and Jamie Redman and their team from established Maryport business Redby Coffee, it will offer fabulous flavours using local ingredients, with a strong emphasis on fish and seafood, as well as ice cream and gelato from Torpenhow, cheese from Mawbray and lots of milkshakes, soup and sandwiches.
The café is part of £12 million of central government-funded regeneration projects in Maryport. It is located next to the new skatepark, just down the coast from the new Boardwalk, Harbourside event space and Shiver Me Timbers play and splash park, and close to the improved Maryport Activity Centre which offers a new adventure play attraction, the Clip n’ Climb challenge and a popular gym. The new Maryport Maritime Museum, in the historic Christ Church building, also opens this autumn.
An opportunity to have a say on how land in the Cumberland area can be developed in the future continues with drop-in events organised over the next two months.
We are inviting comments on the first stage of a new Cumberland Local Plan. The Issues and Options consultation is a chance to tell the council about any of planning issues and opportunities in the Cumberland area.
The responses to the public consultation will help develop the production of the draft Cumberland Local Plan.
The council is holding drop-in events across Cumberland, with the opportunity to speak to council officers and ask questions. A further event in Seascale Library has been added to the list of venues.
The following drop-in events are planned:
• Aspatria Library: Friday 29 September, 11.30am - 3.30pm.
• Carlisle The Lanes (East Tower Lane): Friday 17 October, 9.30am - 4.30pm.
• Cockermouth Library: Thursday 25 September, 10.30am - 3.30pm.
• Dalston Victory Hall: Tuesday 30 September, 1.30pm - 7pm.
• Egremont Market Hall: Tuesday 23 September, 10am - 4pm.
• Frizington Library: Monday 20 October, 2.15pm - 4.45pm.
• Longtown Library: Monday 6 October, 1.30pm - 4.30pm.
• Maryport Town Hall: Thursday 2 October 9.30am - 4.30pm.
• Millom Tin Chapel: Wednesday 8 October, 10am - 3pm.
• Seascale Library: Friday 26 September, 2.30pm - 5pm.
• Silloth Library: Wednesday 22 October, 11am - 3pm.
• Whitehaven United Reform Church: Thursday 16 October 10.30am - 4.30pm.
• Wigton Market Hall: Monday 13 October, 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Events also took place in Carlisle, Brampton, Workington and Cleator Moor.
Consultation on the Issues and Options for the Cumberland Local Plan continues until Friday 31 October 2025.
Our preferred method for receiving responses is via the online questionnaire alternatively you can email any comments to: planningpolicy@cumberland.gov.uk or send them by post to: Chris Hoban, Planning Policy Team, Cumberland Council, Civic Centre, Carlisle, CA3 8QG.
We have approved funding to move forward with the Iron Line project in Millom, marking a significant step in one of the Millom Town Deal’s ambitious regeneration initiatives.
At a meeting of our Executive committee on Thursday 11 September councillors agreed to award the stage two construction contract for the Iron Line project. The contract, valued at £7.1 Million plus VAT, has been awarded to Story Construction. The Executive decision is subject to call-in.
This will be subject to the planning application and agreement for lease for the planned visitor centre, which will be considered by our Planning Committee. If approved, construction is expected to begin later this year, with delivery aligned to environmental seasons and funding milestones.
The Iron Line will transform the existing Hodbarrow Reserve and former railway line into a 7.5km fully accessible walking and cycling route, enhanced with new public art, cultural features, and a community-led visitor centre. The scheme aims to celebrate Millom and Haverigg’s natural beauty, heritage, and community spirit while boosting health, wellbeing, and local pride.
The new visitor centre will feature a café, group learning and event space, accessible toilets, and volunteer facilities - serving as a welcoming hub for locals and visitors.
As well as providing improved access to nature, the Iron Line is expected to attract visitors, stimulate the local economy, and create a lasting legacy for the community.
The Millom Town Deal includes four major projects, supported by £20.6 million of Government funding and a further £8.7 million in match contributions. Together, these initiatives are transforming the future of Millom and Haverigg - enhancing health and wellbeing, creating new economic opportunities, and strengthening connections with the area’s unique natural environment.
A new Carlisle weekly open-air market, made up of around 40 local traders, got underway on Friday 19 September.
The finishing touches are being made to the groundbreaking £5.5 million improvement scheme in Carlisle’s Greenmarket and Market Square. Works are planned to be completed later this month.
The striking transformation is part of a wider £100 million programme of investment in Carlisle and is set to be completed later this month. The 5,000-square-metre area has included an extensive year-long programme of work - all with the aim to support the city centre economy.
The changes have created a safer, more welcoming streetscape while boosting economic activity by attracting residents and visitors to the city centre.
Improvement works to the Carlisle Southern Gateway, Carlisle Station Gateway and Devonshire Street also form part of the £100 million invested in high quality projects that mark a significant step forward in transforming the heart of the city into a greener and more vibrant place.
Backed by national funding including the UK Government’s Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, the coordinated regeneration programme supports long-term growth, sustainability, and high street renewal, while shaping a Carlisle city centre fit for the future.
Our Executive has agreed how communities in West Cumbria will benefit from more than £1.7m from Sellafield funding.
The money, which is over £750k more than in previous years, is provided as part of Sellafield’s Social Impact Investment Fund (SIIF), and can be used to support a wide range of initiatives across the former Allerdale and Copeland areas.
Last week our Executive agreed to move forward with a project which will explore the potential refurbishment/replacement of a significant piece of infrastructure at the Port of Workington.
We are the owners and operators of the port and will now commission a detailed survey of the dock gates and, depending on the findings and necessary funds being available, look to carry out the required work following a tender process. The dock gates at the port are essential for maintaining sufficient depth within the Prince of Wales Dock.
The port is a key asset for the council and local area with significant potential to unlock economic growth in the region. To date, more than £25 million has been invested by the Government and council in activities directly related to the port, improving things such as infrastructure, road access and warehouse capabilities.
Updates on the project will follow in due course.
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