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Also in this week's edition:
On the build up to the May bank holidays on Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May, Cumberland Council is reminding residents how to access its services.
Some of our offices - including Carlisle’s Civic Centre and Cumbria House, Allerdale House in Workington, and Market Hall in Whitehaven - will be closed on Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May 2026. Online services will be available at www.cumberland.gov.uk
The main customer number (0300 373 3730) will close at 4.30pm on Friday 1 May and Friday 22 May and will reopen following the bank holidays on Tuesday 5 May and Tuesday 26 May at 9am. There will be a recorded message advising of the closure period and out of hours contact numbers for Highways, Homelessness, and Adults and Children’s Social Care, should anyone be calling in an emergency.
The full opening of the Carlisle Southern Link Road will be on 12 June 2026. A road opening ceremony will take place from approximately 10am on Friday 12 June, with the road opening for public use after this event during the afternoon.
The project has now entered the snagging phase, a vital stage of the works which allows the project team to carry out detailed inspections and address any final issues. This ensures the road is safe and fully ready before it opens to traffic.
Significant progress has been made across the site in recent months, with many of the most visible elements of the new road now in place. Permanent surfacing has been completed along the route, and white lining is now being applied. Final road signs are also being installed.
Landscaping works are well underway, with many trees already planted and final grass seeding taking place. People travelling near the route may notice the hydroseeding process being carried out, helping to establish grass on verges and embankments across the scheme.
The two sculptures at the Mare and Foal roundabout at Durdar and the Limousin Bull at Brisco roundabout have now been successfully installed. Cumberland Council is delighted to have supported local artist Ellie Barden of Grace Forge on these striking designs, which celebrate the area’s rural heritage.
To date, more than one million cubic metres of material has been moved as part of the construction of the Carlisle Southern Link Road. While the majority of earthworks are complete, there is still some material being moved around the site into its final location. For safety reasons, while this activity continues, the route cannot yet be opened to the public.
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An additional £4.5 million funding has been being secured from the Cumbria Combined Authority to enhance the Cumberland Sports Village in Workington.
The project had previously secured £5.4 million Workington Town Deal funding and additional funding from Cumberland Council for the development of the site of Borough Park.
The additional CCA funding will result in the scheme being extended to include the replacement of all the terraces and increase the total capacity at the new stadium to 5,000.
The revised scheme will be project managed and delivered by Cumberland Council.
We received a positive progress update on our Cumberland Go bus network, showing how new and improved services are beginning to make a difference for communities across the region.
The update was presented to the council’s Highways and Transport Strategic Board on Thursday 23 April, following the phased launch of 18 new and improved routes between November 2025 and January 2026. The £3.55 million programme is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to improving access to affordable, reliable and sustainable public transport.
Performance monitoring shows a mixed picture across the network. Several routes are already performing well, delivering strong value for money and providing improved access to key destinations such as hospitals, town centres, education and employment.
You can check bus times and routes on our website.
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Plans to deliver major public realm improvements and a new 239‑space car park as part of the Carlisle Station Gateway Project have been approved by Cumberland Council’s planning committee.
The decision, made at a meeting held on Wednesday 15 April, marks another significant milestone for the £40.5 million regeneration project, which aims to transform the area around Carlisle railway station and create a more welcoming, accessible and attractive environment for residents, commuters and visitors.
The deadline for voting for Cumberland Council’s Ceremonies Team who have been nominated as part of prestigious regional awards is fast approaching.
The County Brides awards highlight excellence in the wedding industry in the north west of England. Our Ceremonies Team has been nominated in the ‘Ceremony Provider’ category with both the wider ceremonies team and the council-run Carlisle Registry Office at Lady Gillford’s House in Carlisle put forward separately.
The annual awards are voted for by brides and grooms who’ve had outstanding experiences with various providers within the wedding industry. Couples who’ve had wedding ceremonies dating back to September 1, 2023, are eligible to vote in the awards up to the closing date of 30 April this year.
Challenging Waters - The Diary of a Lake District Swimmer
Join John Mather, retired civil engineer and lifelong swimmer, as he shares the remarkable story behind his book Challenging Waters.
Living in North Cumbria for over 45 years, John has swum in lakes and rivers across Europe and beyond - including an icy dip in Siberia’s Lake Baikal. His book chronicles an ambitious personal challenge to swim the length of every Lake District lake, revealing the planning, perseverance and surprises along the way.
An inspiring story of resilience, adventure and local landscapes.
- Wigton Library
- Tuesday 19 May
- 2pm
- Tickets: £2
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Many people think that ‘If a ‘man with a van’ takes it away, I’m in the clear'.
This is not correct.
You’re legally responsible for your waste and should always use licensed carriers and get a waste transfer note. If it’s flytipped, you could still face a fine. You can also book a bulky collection or use one of our waste and recycling centres instead.
Watch our street cleaning team in action as they restore a wall in Castle Park, Whitehaven, one spray at a time.
Thank you for keeping our public spaces clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone.
We have secured £3.465 million in government funding to help expand electric vehicle (EV) charging across the Cumberland area.
The funding, awarded in April 2025 through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme, will support the installation of new, publicly accessible EV charge points on streets, in council car parks and at community locations throughout the county. The programme is funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
We have also been highlighting the essential highways maintenance work taking place across the area to help keep roads, pavements and public spaces safe, accessible and welcoming for everyone.
Following an update to the Highways and Transport Strategic Board, on Thursday 23 April, the council has outlined how regular verge cutting, weed control and tree management form a vital part of its statutory duty as the local highways authority, and play an important role in supporting residents’ health and wellbeing.
Residents are encouraged to report any concerns about overgrown verges, weeds or trees through the council’s website or phone the Highways Hotline: 0300 373 3736. This helps teams prioritise work and respond quickly where action is most needed.
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Nearly 40 representatives from sports, leisure and activity clubs across Millom have helped to identify an array of opportunities for a new multi-million-pound leisure facility to enhance existing provision in the area.
The ideas were generated as part of discussions at a stakeholder workshop organised as part of Millom Town Deal’s Activating Community Health project at The Lighthouse Centre, in Haverigg, on Wednesday, 15 April.
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We have, in collaboration with Carlisle Sports CIO, submitted an ambitious funding bid to the Football Foundation for a £1.3 million refurbishment programme at Harraby 3G pitches in Carlisle.
If approved, the application will enable the installation of new external pitch surfacing, upgraded LED lighting, a designated spectator area, and an updated playing layout. The proposal has been developed in partnership with Cumberland Council, Carlisle Sports, and the Cumberland FA.
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