Councillor Tim Pickstone

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Longtown Ward update – 3 November 2026

Councillor Tim Pickstone in Longtown

North West Recycling and Hespin Wood: two Environment Agency consultations

The Environment Agency has published further documents as part of its review of the environmental permit for North West Recycling near Rockcliffe, including a draft variation and decision document. Discussions with stakeholders have continued, and consultees have been given extra time to look at the draft documents.

I know how much local interest there is in this site. Alongside Rockcliffe Parish Council, I met the Environment Agency last week and we were all very clear about our concerns. I would encourage residents to respond to this second consultation, but we don’t have long: the deadline is 6 November 2026. Respond to the North West Recycling consultation.

The Environment Agency has also opened an initial consultation on a proposed variation to the tonnage at Hespin Wood landfill, Todhills. Again, I would recommend residents respond. The deadline is 27 November 2026. Respond to the Hespin Wood consultation.

North Cumberland speed limit review

The informal consultation on the North Cumberland Speed Limit Review has been reopened. There are no changes in the proposals as they affect Longtown Ward.

Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday falls on 8 November this year. In Longtown itself this is:

  • 9.30am: service at Arthuret Church
  • 10.45am: service at Longtown Memorial

Afterwards there will be refreshments and an exhibition at the Community Centre, and everyone is welcome.

I know that there will also be special Remembrance Sunday services and activities in all of our local communities and churches.

Across Cumberland, the council is marking Remembrance by lighting some of its buildings red until Armistice Day (11 November). It will also hold the two-minute silence at 11am in council buildings open to the public on both days. The Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance is at St Cuthbert’s Church, Carlisle, on Friday 6 November at 7pm, with free tickets from Carlisle Tourist Information Centre. Read more on the council’s website.

Cumberland Council news

Local Plan call for sites extended: Cumberland Council has extended the deadline for suggesting land for the new Cumberland Local Plan to 30 November 2026. Residents, landowners, developers and others can put forward land or buildings for future development, for protection, or for a specific use such as housing, business or leisure. Sites already submitted, either to the former councils or in the first call in 2025, don’t need to be resubmitted. Submit a site on the Let’s Talk Cumberland website.

Local updates

  • Flooding near Stoneygate House, Penton: Standing water on the Church Newcastleton Road near Stoneygate House, which is affecting pedestrian safety, has been reported to highways.
  • Speed of traffic on the A7 and Brampton Road – work is continuing with the Council to undertake speed tests on both of these locations, and for the developers to move the 30mph further south on the Brampton Road.
  • Grit bins for The Scugg, Penton: Residents in the Penton area raised concerns with me about winter safety on the road serving Raeburn Farm via The Scugg. Cumberland Council’s highways team has confirmed that grit bins are due to be installed on the route. Good news ahead of the winter.

Road closures

  • Kirklinton, road from the junction near Kirklinton Hall to Hallfoot Mill via Uppertown: road closed until 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 until 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 until 22 November for a foul water rising main, kerbing and footpath resurfacing (Cumberland Council).
  • Cargo to Rockcliffe, from the Kingmoor Road junction to the bridge south of Rockcliffe Estate: road closed 2 to 4 November, with a diversion route in place (United Utilities, new connection).
  • B5307 Moorhouse, the Royal Oak to Lang Wath: road closed 2 to 20 November for carriageway resurfacing, with a diversion route in place (Cumberland Council).
  • Scaleby Moss junction to Longpark via Burnhill: road closed 2 to 3 November, with a diversion route in place (Openreach).
  • Penton, Corner House to Penton Bridge: multi-way traffic lights 3 to 5 November (United Utilities, new connection).
  • M6 Junctions 43 to 44: lane closures northbound and southbound 3 to 4 November for barrier and fence safety repairs (National Highways).
  • Road from the junction north of Bank End North to Roansgreen (Newcastleton): road closed 4 to 5 November, with a diversion route in place.
  • Minor works, delays unlikely: Bewcastle to the U1031, renewal of a worn-out cattle grid, 2 to 13 November (Cumberland Council); Scaleby, 4 to 6 November (Openreach); Heathlands Farm, Harker, until 3 November (Cumberland Council).

Planning applications in Longtown Ward

New planning applications received since my last update:

Decisions:

Further reading

Reports to parish councils:

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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