Latest news with #PeterThornton
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cumbrian council announces more plans for 20mph speed limit
A consultation has been launched over plans to further extend 20mph speed and Furness Council, in Cumbria, says the measure is aimed at making roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and of the 24 new locations are near schools, playgrounds and tourist comes as the authority rolls out the same restriction in an initial 20 areas this summer, at the beginning of a three-year plan. The council says the latest proposals have been developed in collaboration with parish and town councils to "address the specific needs of their communities" and target built-up areas where the current speed limit is either 30mph or Peter Thornton, cabinet member for highways, said residents' views were "at the centre of our plans" and initiatives would only go ahead if they had "strong community support".He added: "The outcome of our extensive consultation for the first year of the programme is a testament to that, as we have only moved forward with schemes that received clear community backing, as well as adjusting designs of half of the schemes based on local feedback."Details on the proposals are available on the council's website and anyone wishing to submit their views can then fill in an online survey by Friday 18 copies of the consultation are available at several libraries, while Penrith and Barrow libraries are set to host in-person events along with one at Kendal Town Hall. Which areas are included? The following locations could see the limits introduced:CliftonGamblesbyGlassonbyGreat AsbyGreystokePenrithSockbridge and TirrilStaintonCambridge Primary School, BarrowCows Tarn Lane, Walney IslandDane Ghyll Primary School, BarrowNewbarns Primary School, BarrowRamsden Infants School, BarrowSt Pauls Junior School, BarrowVictoria Infants and Victoria Junior School, BarrowWalney School, Sandy Gap Lane, Walney IslandCartmelGreenodd and Penny BridgeHevershamIngsKendalLevensMilnthorpeSatterthwaiteMore than 3,000 people gave their views on the first series of proposals, leading to 10 being given the go-ahead as originally designed, while the same number will be limits in five areas of Barrow were rejected.A further 27 requests for 20mph limits that were received as a part of the initial application process will be considered for the third and final year of the programme in 2027. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major update on full fibre broadband roll out for Cumbrians
COUNCILLORS will next week get an update on Connecting Cumbria and the full fibre network roll out. Members of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Council's joint overview and scrutiny committee are due to meet Cumbria House in Carlisle to consider the report. It states: 'UK Government policy is focused on the delivery of gigabit capable broadband, irrespective of technology, however almost all deployment of gigabit capable services in Cumbria is through the deployment of full fibre infrastructure. 'Digital connectivity is vital to support the objectives of local authorities in Cumbria as this infrastructure supports delivery of services, education, business, leisure and social inclusion. 'Therefore, over the past 15 years there have been a number of initiatives to encourage telecoms investment and augment this with publicly funded investment to help the county catch-up with the connectivity in the wider UK. 'The Digital Champions for Cumberland Council, Cllr Chris Southward, and Westmorland and Furness Council, Cllr Peter Thornton, assisted by the Connecting Cumbria team, are responsible for delivering the Cumbria-wide Digital Infrastructure Strategy which includes a strong focus on the expansion of gigabit capable broadband services.' According to the report In March 2021 the UK Government announced the Project Gigabit programme, managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with a commitment of up to £5 billion in funding, to expand gigabit broadband services through: Encourage competition and investment into gigabit capable infrastructure through the commercial telecoms market. Seeking to encourage maximum delivery at the maximum possible speed across the UK; Deploy gigabit capable services to all GP surgeries, libraries and primary schools; Fund gigabit vouchers to support rural community projects; Contract for delivery of gigabit connectivity to areas where commercial deployment is not planned. It adds: 'Across Cumbria there is significant commercially funded roll out of gigabit capable broadband with the majority of this work focused in urban areas. 'Work is also progressing, both as a result of the commercial deployment programme and some programmes managed through the Departments of Health or Education, on expansion of connectivity to GP surgeries, libraries and primary schools. 'Applications for new community voucher projects were paused by DSIT in 2023 but areas where a community project had already been agreed work is ongoing using this funding and top up funding provided through the Connecting Cumbria Voucher Top Up scheme.'
BBC News
26-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Street light control may be handed over to Cumbrian council
Parish councils will be allowed to hand over control of street lighting to a local authority if they and Furness councillors agreed last week to accept proposals to bring the area's lights under the control of a central council-run plans include the authority potentially taking control of about 790 lighting units run by parish and town councils - with more than 19,000 street lights across the Democrat councillor Peter Thornton said the move would "bring an end to the inefficiency of street-lighting management". Thornton said it would allow the council to move into "a new world of low-energy lighting which is carefully targeted to avoid light pollution"."By digitally controlling our street lights, we can produce the light we want, when we want it, to reduce consumption and ensure we are getting the most of every pound that we spend," he local authority said the maintenance of lights would also be improved because having one central contol would allow automatic alerts to be set up to notify engineers when there is a Democrat councillor Janet Battye said parish councils would not be forced to "hand anything over or do anything"."This proposal is a result of listening to them, working with them and responding to what they have been telling us they want," she said. 'Dark holes in village' The council had previously sought the views of smaller authorities about the proposed Strickland Parish Council said many of its lights were attached to telegraph poles, and the current policy seemed to be "to remove rather than repair" lights when there was a problem."Our lighting stock is dwindling rapidly," said clerk Ruth Tupling, at the time of the consultation."This has resulted in 'dark holes' throughout the village, and meant that some of the older residents no longer feel able to go out in the dark." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Kirkby Lonsdale road shut after fatal fire may reopen in April
A road which has been closed since a fatal fire last year is due to reopen to cars in April. One man died in the blaze, which ripped through a flat on Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, in December, and 20 people were displaced. Dozens of homes and businesses were and Furness Council said people had since been able to return to their properties but nearby Market Street remained shut to vehicles. Cabinet member for highways and Liberal Democrat councillor, Peter Thornton, said the road should be reopened in time for the Easter holidays and called it a "major milestone". He said the works would "reconnect" one side of the town to the other. The scheme will begin on Monday and last until early April, the council said. It will include works to prevent further deterioration of the shops inside the Old Market Hall, the removal of rubble from the former Taylor's Building and the scaffolding around the site, as well as the restoration of the road reopens, it will have a weight restriction in place for vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes, the local authority said. Thornton called on pedestrians to take "extra care" while contractors were on site. "Meanwhile, the town is very much open for business, and I know the community would appreciate shoppers and visitors coming to experience the town with its high-quality independent shopping," he said.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Road bridge to reopen with weight restriction
A road bridge which has been closed for more than seven months will reopen with a weight restriction. Brigsteer Bridge, which crosses the A591 near Kendal in Cumbria, will open to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles weighing up to three tonnes on Friday from 16:00 GMT. The Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges were closed on 12 June last year after an external expert report found structural concerns. Westmorland and Furness Council said it was safe "to use with confidence" and added it was continuing structural assessments and checks of Underbarrow Bridge. Drivers of vehicles exceeding three tonnes must follow an alternative route and the council said "violating the weight restriction will not only put other road users at risk but may result in prosecution and fines". A clearly signed weight restriction will be implemented under a traffic regulation order, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. The council's cabinet member for highways Peter Thornton said: "We have conducted thorough analysis, assessments and intrusive investigations that have confirmed Brigsteer Bridge is safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and some vehicles to use with confidence. "We understand that the weight restriction for vehicles over three tonnes will be disappointing for some drivers. However, this measure is vital to ensure safety at this stage." Further investigations will assess whether increases to the weight limit are possible. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@ Work to reopen bridges 'taking far too long' Bridge work 'putting businesses at risk' Westmorland and Furness Council
