Councillor Tim Pickstone

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Longtown Ward update – 7 October 2026

Post-16 SEND school transport: have your say

Cumberland Council is consulting on possible changes to home-to-school transport for young people aged 16 and over with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who travel to college, sixth form or training.

At the moment the Council arranges this transport using minibuses and taxis. It is now proposing to introduce a contribution from families towards the cost of travel, based on the price of a bus pass (about £1,200 a year). The Council says the review is a response to rising demand and costs, and that it also wants to give young people more choice, flexibility and independence and no changes would start before September 2027.

Families in rural areas like ours often face long journeys to college, so if this affects you or your family, please do take part. The consultation closes on 20 November 2026: https://consult.cumberland.gov.uk/post-16-send-transport

Hespin Wood: permanent permission for waste facilities

Cumberland Council’s Planning Committee has agreed permanent planning permission for some of the waste facilities at Hespin Wood Waste Management Park. The applications (references 1/24/9002 to 1/24/9007) asked for the existing temporary permissions for the materials recovery facilities, baling plant and secondary aggregates production facility to be made permanent.

This is very disappointing, and yet another unwelcome increase in waste processing in our area.

Gretna Road pavement to be renewed

The Council has secured some funding to renew pavements where there is a need, and one of the projects identified is to restore the pavement on the north side of the Gretna Road, between the A7 and Green Mill Road. This should improve access along this very fast section of road.

During the consultation I asked whether the new pavement could also accommodate cyclists as shared space, and about a possible extension towards Rosetrees Lane.

Cumberland Council news

Cumberland Local Plan consultation: the scoping consultation for the new Cumberland Local Plan runs until 23 October 2026. The Local Plan will guide decisions on housing, employment land, infrastructure, environmental protection and future development across Cumberland, so this is an important chance to say where future housing and employment should go. I will be responding as your local councillor, so please let me know if there are points you would like me to make. https://consult.cumberland.gov.uk/scoping-consultation-for-the-cumberland-local-plan

A7 resurfacing: thank you for your patience during the recent resurfacing works on the A7 through Longtown, which involved overnight closures and diversions. There is a deadline of November to complete highway repairs ahead of the Tour de France coming through Longtown on 2 July 2027.

Polling stations review: the Council’s review of polling districts and polling places closed on 2 October, ahead of the May 2027 elections. In Rockcliffe Parish there is a proposal to move the polling station for Harker from Cringledyke to the Laings coffee shop on the A7, which I have supported as it is closer for most Harker residents.

Council finances and governance: an external assurance review of the Council’s finances and governance has been completed for the Government. It acknowledges progress since local government reorganisation, but identifies areas needing further work, including financial sustainability, children’s services, governance and programme delivery. The Council is preparing a formal response.

New Chief Executive: the Council has appointed a new Chief Executive, the current Director of Corporate and Transformation Services, Jo Atkinson.

Local updates

  • Moor Road and Lochinvar Close, Longtown: I have reported a number of road and pavement defects to highways and am waiting for the repairs to be carried out.
  • 127A bus: the 127A has been rerouted too many times during recent roadworks, and has not always run through the roadworks. I have worked with the Council and Telfords buses to address this with the recent closure of the B road through Catlowdy.
  • Speeding on Moor Road: following concerns about the speed of traffic on Moor Road coming into Longtown, I have liaised with the police, who are hoping to carry out some speed gun exercises on this stretch of road.

Road closures

  • Low Harker, from the new development to the A7 junction: road closed until 18 December, with a signed diversion via Harker. Drainage, new footpath and resurfacing works for Cumberland Council (Metcalfe Civil Engineering).
  • A7 near the Low Harker road: multi-way traffic lights until 18 October for a foul water rising main, kerbing and footpath resurfacing.
  • Westlinton, from the Cliff Inn to the junction south of Down By Rigg: road closed until 28 October, with a diversion via Smithfield (Electricity North West).
  • Canonbie to Longtown road via Scotchdyke: multi-way traffic lights 7 to 9 October (Openreach).
  • Mill Street, Longtown: minor works 9 to 12 October, delays unlikely (Openreach).

Planning applications in Longtown Ward

Planning applications received in August and September 2026:

Further reading

Meeting reports:

Reports to parish councils:

As ever, if you have any questions about any of this, or there is anything I can help with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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