Councillor Tim Pickstone

Report to Nicholforest Parish Council – September 2026

Councillor Tim Pickstone, Cumberland Councillor for Longtown Ward

A7 Resurfacing – Road Closure

Residents should be aware that the A7 at Longtown is due to be resurfaced by Balfour Beatty, with a full overnight closure expected from 13 September 2026, over a period of around five days. The closure runs on the A7 from its junction with the A6071, extending approximately 870 metres to the south-east. A signed diversion will be in place via the A7, A689, C1022, C1015 and A6071 (temporary order reference TTROC/19534). As always, access for residents and the emergency services will be maintained wherever it is safe to do so, and I will share any updates as the works are confirmed.

Hespin Wood Landfill

Members will be aware that Hespin Wood has been operating under a temporary stop on accepting new waste to the landfill, with the exception of soil. There have recently been some concerns that this may no longer be the case. I am looking into this and will report back to the Council once I have clarity.

Polling Stations Review

Cumberland Council has launched a review of its polling districts and polling places, to make sure that polling stations are well located, accessible and fit for purpose ahead of the May 2027 elections, when the whole council will be elected under its new ward boundaries, alongside the first election for the new Mayor of Cumbria and existing parish council elections. As Longtown Ward’s boundaries are unchanged, local arrangements are unlikely to alter significantly, but this is a good opportunity to raise any concerns about the accessibility or suitability of our local polling stations. Comments can be submitted until Friday 2 October 2026, and the Parish Council is itself a formal consultee.

Rural Carlisle Speed Review

The informal consultation on the North Cumberland Speed Limit Review is now live. It covers 22 proposed Traffic Regulation Order changes across North Cumberland and runs until 14 September 2026. The proposals and supporting plans can be viewed at http://www.cumberland.gov.uk/proposedtros, and comments can be sent by email to TROresponses@cumberland.gov.uk, quoting the relevant proposal number and location.

The consultation does not include anywhere in Nicholforest, as our two proposals did not meet the Department for Transport guidance. However, signage has been agreed at both Kershopefoot and Catlowdy, and I have gone back to the team to ask whether there is any flexibility around a 40mph limit at Catlowdy.

Other Local Issues

People will have noticed the repairs to the stonework at the Penton Linns bridge, as raised at our last meeting. This work has been undertaken by Dumfries and Galloway on behalf of both councils.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there are issues I can help with.