Latest news with #DeniseRollo
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Work on new Carlisle to Cargo cycleway section to begin
Work on a new cycleway connecting a village and a city is set to route from Cargo to Carlisle's northern bypass will be built over 16 weeks, weather dependent, from Monday. Cumberland Council said the road to Cargo from the Kingmoor Bridge West roundabout would remain open with temporary traffic lights in place, but asked residents to allow extra time for travel. Councillor Denise Rollo said the walking, cycling and wheeling route would reduce reliance on cars for shorter journeys. The construction works run from Monday to Friday between 08:00 BST and 16:00 and in 200 metre phases to reduce disruption, the council said. Access for emergency services, public transport and waste collection vehicles would be maintained throughout the works. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New council funding 'reduces barriers' to electric vehicle ownership
Cumberland Council has been awarded over £3 million as part of a national initiative to make electric vehicles more accessible to the public. The council has announced that it will received £3.465 million in funding from the Department for Transport through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme. This significant investment will support the installation of new, publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the Cumberland area. A statement released by the council championed the news, saying: "It marks a major step forward in the council's commitment to cleaner, more sustainable transport and ensures that residents and visitors alike have greater access to essential EV infrastructure." At its Executive Board meeting in April 2025, approval was granted to procure a long-term concession contract for the provision, operation, and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure across the region. Tender documents are currently being finalised, with publication expected in the next month. The rollout is set to begin with the first chargers installed by winter 2025. All planned charge points are expected to be fully commissioned by winter 2028. A core objective of the LEVI-funded project is to ensure at least 70 per cent of Cumberland residents without access to off-street parking will have a charge point available within a five-minute walk of their home. In more rural or isolated areas where this may not be feasible, charging facilities will be provided at local community hubs to ensure equitable access. READ MORE: Plans to roll out electric car chargers revealed Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: "Cumberland Council is committed to putting local communities at the heart of this transition. "A period of public engagement will begin in July 2025, inviting residents and stakeholders to help shape the rollout and identify priority locations for charging infrastructure. "This project supports Cumberland's net zero ambitions, reduces barriers to EV ownership, and strengthens our commitment to addressing the climate emergency while promoting innovation and social value across the region."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Cumberland Council calls for volunteer drivers and coordinators
Cumberland Council is urging people to volunteer as drivers or coordinators for their transport schemes. This appeal came as part of the Pay it Forward Day initiative on Monday, April 28, which aims to encourage acts of kindness. The Voluntary Social Car Scheme and Community Wheels service provide transport for residents who struggle to access public transport. These services help people attend medical appointments, do their shopping, and participate in social events to help them maintain their independence and sense of community. According to the council, there is a particular need for minibus drivers to support the Caldbeck Community Wheels scheme. Volunteers would join a rota and drive residents to Wigton or Carlisle one Monday a month. Volunteer coordinators are also needed to manage various transport schemes in the area, recruit drivers, and promote the service. All expenses are fully reimbursed. The council is seeking a replacement volunteer coordinator for the Whitehaven area, a home-based role that managed 984 journeys during 2024/25. There is also interest in establishing new schemes in Wigton and Brampton, and the council is encouraging anyone interested in helping these get off the ground to get in touch. The council is also encouraging residents to volunteer as car drivers, using their own vehicles to provide transport for those in need. Fuel expenses are reimbursed at 45p per mile without a passenger and 50p per mile with a passenger. According to the council, there is no minimum time commitment, and volunteers can drive as often or as little as they wish. Drivers are currently needed in various areas, including Brampton, Caldbeck, Dalston, Cockermouth, Longtown, Maryport, Allonby, Millom, Roadhead, Whitehaven, Wigton, and Workington. Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: "Our volunteer driving scheme is a lifeline for so many people across Cumberland. "It's not just about transport, it's about connection, independence, and making a real difference in people's lives. "I encourage anyone with some spare time to consider volunteering. "Whether you can drive once a month or once a week, your support will have a lasting impact on our communities." To volunteer or learn more, contact Katy Wood, volunteer transport officer, on 03332 406965, selecting option 5, call the mobile number 07788 396194, or email
BBC News
16-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
More than 50 Victorian era fingerposts restored
More than 50 navigational fingerposts from the early 20th Century have been restored. Cumberland Council said the cast iron posts, which are recognised by their distinctive black and white bands, were repaired in 21 parishes. Some of the oldest ones in the UK are thought to have been installed in the late 19th Century, with many having been removed during World War Two to confuse an invading council said the road signs were "adored by residents and visitors" and by restoring them it "honoured the past". According to Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the fingerposts began to appear following the 1773 General Turnpike Act, which compelled "trustees" to install signs with distances for it said many which had not been deliberately removed during the war, had fallen into added that of the 1,300 fingerposts thought to exist in the 1950s, just 717 had survived. Saved from being melted Cumberland Council said some dated back to the early 20th Century, having "stood the test of time" surviving World War Two thanks to their preservation rather than being melted down. "This makes them not just directional aids but valuable pieces of our heritage that contribute significantly to Cumberland's local character," the council Denise Rollo said: "These fingerpost signs are an iconic part of our rural landscape and local heritage. "Restoring them is a way of honouring our past, supporting the character and identity of our communities while looking to the future." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
15-year plan to tackle 'inadequate' electric vehicle charging infrastructure
A 15-YEAR strategy to improve the provision of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the Cumberland Council area was outlined to senior councillors this week. Members of Cumberland Council's executive committee met at Allerdale House in Workington on Tuesday (April 8) where they considered a report – Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for general public use 2025-2040. They were asked to approve permission to procure a contractor for the provision, operation and maintenance of infrastructure across the council area for a period of 15 years with a maximum value of £7million – with £3.465 million grant funded and £3.535million match funded. Councillor Denise Rollo (Harrington, Labour), the sustainable, resilient and connected places portfolio holder, told members that the current infrastructure was 'inadequate' and moved the recommendations to which the committee agreed. The report states: 'This will provide a fit for purpose electric vehicle charging infrastructure for general public use that will be maintained in a safe operational condition and to allow emergency and non-emergency repairs to existing infrastructure to be completed in a timely and safe manner.' According to the report the council area is 'a large, sparsely populated area with a small number of urban centres and only one city, Carlisle'. It adds: 'The geography of the area presents problems for anyone considering buying an electric car and to make that choice more realistic the council is interested in four market sectors.' These include: Dense urban streets where residents have no access to private driveways for parking and recharging; Rural locations where the volume of demand is likely to be relatively low and therefore unattractive to commercial suppliers; Popular visitor destinations which may be in remote countryside, but which see parking durations of several hours at a time, allowing good opportunities to recharge; Larger city and town centre car parks where commercial opportunities may be available. The report states: 'The initial target is to provide a charge point within five minutes' walk of every home; however, this may not be appropriate in every case. 'Where this is not possible, we will install charging points at public carparks / alternative locations to enable residents to charge their vehicles nearby. 'In isolated situations where the installation of a charging point is not feasible alternative methods will be considered to allow residents to charge their vehicles.' A range of charge point types and speeds will be permissible, with the Charge Point Operator (CPO) required to install at mandatory sites selected by the council prior to the deployment of infrastructure at additional sites selected in partnership by the CPO and Cumberland Council. The report states: 'The Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be advertised on the Find a Tender Service and the relevant tender documents will be available from the council's procurement portal (The Chest).' According to the report the concession contract will incorporate recommendations by Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) where applicable as well as where appropriate being a similar format to other local government EV Charging Infrastructure contracts which ran with Tranche One of the LEVI funding. It adds: 'The majority of which have been in place for the last three years and have operated successfully. Once the chargers have been installed for an agreed period; all chargers will be charged a fixed bay fee per annum. 'In addition, chargers with a 3 kW to 22 kW charge will pay Cumberland Council 10 percent of revenue generated and if chargers over 22kW are installed 15 percent revenue will be paid to Cumberland Council. 'Current council chargers adopted by the successful contractor will pay revenue at the above percentages from the start of the contract. 'A minimum of 15 percent of Award and Evaluation Criteria will be allocated to social value questions. They must have access to or hold any required licences to procure, install and maintain existing and new EV chargers.'
