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Recent tragic incidents across the UK have highlighted just how dangerous open water can be, particularly for young people. Drowning is often silent, fast and can be preventable with the right knowledge.
To help keep children safe, we are offering free water safety sessions across Westmorland and Furness this summer. Dates run throughout June and July, with both pool‑based and open water sessions available.
These fun, practical sessions focus on essential life‑saving skills, including:
- How to stay calm and control breathing in cold water
- How to float to stay alive
- How to recognise risks and make safer choices
- What to do if someone else gets into difficulty
Children must be able to swim at least 25 metres confidently without stopping to take part.
Additionally, we are offering secondary schools the opportunity to provide funded water safety sessions at local leisure centres as part of their core PE offer.
The initiative is provided through Westmorland and Furness Council and the Cumbria Water Safety Partnership, in partnership with GLL and Barrow Forward, working to reduce water-related deaths and keep communities safe.
Find out details on the water safety sessions and how to book them (PDF)
Overnight closures will be in place from 12 midnight to 6am on the A66 in both directions between Kemplay Bank roundabout and Temple Sowerby from 15-20 June inclusive (five nights).
National Highways are undertaking the closure to complete the installation of CCTV cameras safely. Currently, they have a 40-mph speed limit in place on the A66 between M6 junction 40 and Temple Sowerby bypass and are in the process of installing CCTV cameras to monitor the traffic and ensure that free recovery is mobilised as efficiently as possible.
The work is part of advanced preparations for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project.
Also, on Sunday 21 June, they need to close the A66 eastbound carriageway from 12 midnight to 6am between M6 junction 40 and Kemplay Bank roundabout. A fully signed diversion will be in place, and details are available here: A66 diversion routes (Google Maps)
Due to the existing HGV restrictions through Kirkby Stephen, the diversion for HGVs will involve using the M6, A69 and A1. From the M6 junction 40 to A1 Scotch Corner, this will be a 115-mile diversion. Signage will be in place before these points to ensure we inform HGV drivers in a timely manner.
More details on the project can be found on National Highways' website.
Do you receive care – or care for others – in Westmorland and Furness? If so, we’d love to hear your views.
Join our listening event at Kendal Library on Wednesday 24 June, 9.30am–12pm. This drop-in session is part of our work to shape the future of Adult Social Care in Westmorland and Furness - and your lived experience is vital.
Come along to share your experiences, speak with Adult Social Care staff and find out how to join one of our co-production groups. There’s no need to book — come along at a time that suits you.
Further sessions will be held in different locations across Westmorland and Furness soon.
To register your interest, or to find out more about our co-production groups, please email workingtogether@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Join us! There are currently 72 job opportunities available to apply for now.
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