Councillor Tim Pickstone

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Longtown Ward update – 21 October 2026

Councillor Tim Pickstone in Longtown

Have your say on Longtown Library

Cumberland Council has started a six-week consultation on how library services should be provided in Longtown and Brampton. It began on 14 October and runs until 25 November.

For Longtown, three options are being considered: keeping the library in its existing building, moving it into Longtown Family Hub, or moving it into Longtown Community Centre or another shared community venue. You can respond through an online or paper survey, and drop-in sessions are also planned.

This is an important decision for Longtown, so I’d encourage everyone to make their views known before the consultation closes on 25 November.

Here is the link to have your say on the future of Longtown library.

Supported bus services, including the 64 to Rockcliffe: A report to the Council’s Highways and Transport Strategic Board this Thursday (22 October) says that, because of funding constraints, it will not be possible to keep supporting every bus service the Council currently subsidises. The board is being asked to consider finding up to £235,000 of extra Council funding to keep three services running until 31 March 2027, one of which is the 64 Cargo, Rockcliffe and Durdar service. I specifically sought assurances on this serve at the last full meeting of Cumberland Council. I’ll report back on the outcome. Read more

Cumberland Council news

  • Have your say on the future of local bus services: A Cumbria-wide Bus Reform Pilot consultation is under way, looking at how buses might be planned, funded and operated differently in future. The questionnaire asks about people’s experience of current bus services and their priorities, including rural connectivity, affordability and access to jobs. The future of rural bus services matters right across Longtown Ward, so please do take part. The consultation closes on 25 October. Here is the link to take part in the survey.
  • Weather Ready campaign: The Council has relaunched its Weather Ready campaign, bringing together advice on preparing for winter, including flooding, power cuts, winter travel, health and cost of living support. It also asks people to check in on neighbours, friends and family who may be more vulnerable in severe weather. Weather Ready pages
  • Carlisle Fireshow: This year’s Fireshow takes place in Bitts Park, Carlisle, on Saturday 31 October from 6.30pm, with a Tour de France theme ahead of next year’s Grand Départ. Entry is free, with a charity collection on the gate. Read more
  • Foster carers needed: Cumbria Fostering has launched a new campaign to recruit more local foster carers. If you have ever thought about fostering, now is a good time to find out more. Read more

Local updates

  • Speeding on the A6071 and A7, Longtown: Good news that the work to move the 30mph sign further out on Brampton Road – to be south of Fawns Wood – is now in progress. The Council has also agreed to undertake speed surveys on both roads (Carlisle Road and Brampton Road).
  • North West Recycling – I am meeting with the Environment Agency tomorrow (Thursday 22 October 2026) concerning the outcome of their consultation and deliberations on increasing tonnage at this site. More details to follow but let me know if there are questions you would like me to raise.

Road closures

  • Kirklinton, road from the junction near Kirklinton Hall to Hallfoot Mill via Uppertown: road closed 19 October to 25 December (United Utilities, mains renewal). The diversion route listed is the road from Smithfield North to Kirklinton Church and Uppertown.
  • Westlinton, from the A7 to the C1009: road closed 21 October to 17 November, with a diversion route in place (Electricity North West).
  • Low Harker, from the new development to the A7 junction: road closed until 18 December. Drainage, new footpath and resurfacing works for Cumberland Council.
  • A7 near the Low Harker road: two-way traffic lights 19 October to 22 November for a foul water rising main, kerbing and footpath resurfacing (Cumberland Council).
  • M6 Junctions 45 to 47: lane and slip road closures for survey works until 21 October (National Highways).
  • Canonbie to Longtown road via Scotchdyke: two-way traffic lights 19 to 26 October (Electricity North West).
  • Rockcliffe village: two-way traffic lights 19 to 21 October (Fibrus).
  • Penton, Corner House to Penton Bridge: stop/go boards 21 to 22 October for fibre cable testing (Fibrus).
  • Netherby Road North to Carwinley High Bridge: stop/go boards 21 to 22 October for fibre cable testing (Fibrus).
  • Minor works, delays unlikely: English Street, Longtown, 19 to 23 October (Electricity North West); Tewthwaite Green to Justicetown, Westlinton, 19 to 20 October (Electricity North West); Raw cattle grid near Murray Holme, Roadhead, cattle grid renewal until 23 October (Cumberland Council).

Planning applications in Longtown Ward

New planning applications received since my last update:

Decisions:

Further reading

Meeting reports:

Other:

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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