In total, nine bus routes across Westmorland and Furness have been boosted by nearly £600,000 of funding provided by the council this year to connect communities and provide better access to employment.
Two of those routes – the number 6 service between Barrow and Windermere and the X4/5 service that runs between Keswick and Penrith – have seen the frequency of services increased at times designed to help staff get to and from work in hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses in some of the most popular parts of the Lake District.
The £178,885 funding from the Supported Bus Services Grant was allocated to these two services in response to concerns raised by hospitality and tourism businesses, many still feeling the continued effects of the Covid pandemic, about labour shortages and difficulties recruiting staff.
Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have confirmed - in a letter to the UK Government - their commitment to joint working across their council boundaries.
Penrith free parking during gas works will come to an end on Friday 19 April
With the completion of major gas works in Penrith town centre, drivers are advised that special car parking arrangements introduced during the scheme will come to an end on Friday 19 April.
Business Improvement District (BID) agreed to cover the cost of making parking on all Penrith’s council-operated pay and display car parks free of charge after 3pm while the works, which started in January, were being carried out by Northern Gas Networks to reinforce the main gas supply on Middlegate and King Street.
Now the works have been completed the car parks will return to normal tariffs and charging periods from 19 April. Signage will be installed in the car parks to remind drivers.
Local elections - Apply for free voter ID!
On 2 May, there are local and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections taking place in Cumbria.
Voting at a polling station? Don’t forget to bring photo ID.
Deadline to register to vote for the elections is 16 April 2024.
The results are in from the ‘Make Your Mark’ ballot!
The ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign encourages young people to vote on the issues that are important to them, enabling them to have their voices heard.
There was a total of 6076 votes placed in Westmorland and Furness with a range of youth organisations, including school, getting involved.
The most important issues highlighted included:
Jobs, the economy & benefits
Health & wellbeing
Thank you to everyone who took part!
Thinking about adoption for 2024?
Join Cumbria Adoption for our next online Information Event on Wednesday 17 April at 6pm.
Our friendly team give an overview of the adoption process and answer any questions you may have and a current adopter shares their own experience of adopting.
