Summary

  • Seven years prison for M6 driver in fatal crash

  • Defence ministry warns of zip wire low flying risk

  • Millom residents call for flood action

  • Heavy snow brings avalanche danger to fells

  1. Mansfield Town 1-1 Carlisle Unitedpublished at 21:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021

    Stephen McLaughlin’s late free-kick earns Mansfield Town a point at home to Carlisle United.

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  2. Fleet of minibuses to help people in rural areaspublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021

    People living in and around Egremont, St Bees, Penrith, Ulverston and Wigton, will have access to a new fleet of minibuses.

    It's part of a pilot project to improve public transport in rural areas which has received £1.5m of government funding.

    The minibuses and people carriers will serve up to a 15-mile radius around the four towns and passengers will be able to book journeys by phone.

    The council will work with local communities to determine the operating hours for buses which will help residents get around for work or education, as well an an off-peak service to shops and leisure centres.

    It's hoped the service could be expanded to other areas if it's successful.

    Ennerdale BridgeImage source, Google
    Quote Message

    It is essential that those living in rural areas have access to flexible and affordable transport so they can reach the local services and amenities they need."

    Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council

  3. Bishop rebuked over reference for child molesterpublished at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021

    The Right Reverend James Newcome apologises for the reference for a colleague who was later jailed.

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  4. Weather on the fells: A cloudy and wet start, brighter laterpublished at 07:59 Greenwich Mean Time 16 March 2021

    • Temperature at 3,000ft: Around 4C to 5C (39F to 41F).
    • Winds: A strong north-westerly, veering northerly, breeze, with gusts around 35mph to 40mph.
    • Cloud: Cloud bases around 1,000ft to 2,000ft (300m to 600m) this morning, rising to 2,000ft to 3,000ft (600m to 900m) this afternoon, with cloud breaking to leave periods of sunshine.
    • Weather: A cloudy and wet start to the day with outbreaks of rain. Drier and brighter this afternoon.
    • Visibility: Generally good, but poor this morning above cloud bases.
    • Freezing level: Above the peaks.
    Helvellyn's Trig Point and snowImage source, Fell Top Assessors

    Jon from the Fell Top Assessors is warning about cornices on Helvellyn after spotting footprints either side of Trig point (pictured above) too close to the edge.

  5. Death warning over stolen epilepsy drugspublished at 09:32 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2021

    Police have warned that anyone taking prescription drugs stolen from a Carlisle pharmacy at the weekend could die or be seriously injured as a result.

    Two men were arrested after a large amount of Pregabalin, a drug used to treat epilepsy, anxiety and nerve pain, was taken from Well Pharmacy on Fusehill Street, between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

    Police say anyone taking the medicine without clinical advice could be putting their life at risk.

    A man in his 50's has been released while investigations continue, a man in his 40's remains in police custody.

    Prescription drugsImage source, Cumbria Police
    Quote Message

    If you come into contact with this prescription drug in an illegal way then please be aware, these drugs are only normally administered following clinical advice.

    Quote Message

    Anyone taking them without being prescribed them is putting their health at serious risk. If taken, these drugs could lead to serious injury or death."

    DC Matthew Graham, Cumbria Police

  6. Weather on the fells: Dry turning cloudy with gusty windspublished at 08:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2021

    • Temperature at 3,000ft: Around 0C (32F) to start, rising to around 1C (34F) through the day.
    • Winds: Strong north-westerly breezes in the morning with gusts up to 30mph to 35mph, becoming moderate in the afternoon.
    • Cloud: Patchy low cloud in the morning with cloud bases around 1,000ft to 2,000ft (300m to 600m), rising to 2,000ft to 3,000ft (600m to 900m) through the day as higher-level cloud builds in.
    • Weather: A dry day with a mixture of patchy low cloud and bright spells to start, until more persistent cloud builds in during the afternoon. The odd spot of rain is likely towards dusk.
    • Visibility: Generally good, but poor above the low cloud bases in the morning and in any rain.
    • Freezing level: Just above the peaks.
    Catstye Cam from HelvellynImage source, Fell Top Assessors

    Wes from the Fell Top Assessors magaed to take this photo at the weekend when cloud cleared for a glimpse of Catstye Cam.

  7. Latest updates from BBC Cumbria Livepublished at 07:40 Greenwich Mean Time 15 March 2021

    Bringing you the latest news, travel and weather from across Cumbria from Monday 15 March to Friday 19 March 2021

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  8. Carlisle United 3-1 Bradford Citypublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 March 2021

    Live coverage of Saturday's League Two game between Carlisle United and Bradford City.

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  9. Walsall 0-1 Barrowpublished at 21:15 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Josh Kay hits an 87th-minute winner as Barrow move three points clear of the League Two relegation zone with victory at Walsall.

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  10. Extradited man admits false police text chargepublished at 17:42 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Branco Van-Wissen failed to show at Carlisle Crown Court in September 2014 and fled to Holland.

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  11. Government U-turn puts new coal mine on holdpublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Ministers say "increased" controversy over the Cumbria mine means a public inquiry is needed.

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  12. Six questions about the Cumbria coal controversypublished at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    Green groups are calling on the PM to cancel the project - but how was the decision reached?

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  13. Calls for more services along Lakes rail linepublished at 11:27 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    The group representing train passengers who travel between Windermere and Oxenholme says proposals to double the frequency of services would benefit both local people and tourists.

    The Lakes Line Rail User Group is supporting a bid for Government funding to explore the idea of being able to run a half hourly service by letting trains pass each other half way along the line.

    Northern train on Lakes line

    It's one consideration being discussed about how Cumbria can cope with the influx of visitors expected when lockdown restrictions start to ease.

    Lakes Line chairman Robert Talbot said increasing capacity is needed: "If they were to run four coach trains rather than the present three coach trains, the equivalent of eight coaches per hour, it would almost triple capacity at a stroke."

  14. Couture fashion house moving to Cumbriapublished at 11:22 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    A fashion designer who grew up in Barrow and now creates high end outfits for royalty and celebrities is taking on a new role as a business ambassador in Cumbria.

    Lee Paton is moving his company from London and hoping to recruit local people to work with him.

    He is planning his Spring 2022 collection to be made from only Cumbrian fabrics.

    "What I do I could do from anywhere and one of the main things I want to come back to Cumbria to do is teach new skills to local people.

    "It's an industry that doesn't really exist there' especially not at the level which the brand is working.

    "So what I would like to do is teach new skills to local people that we can develop over time and just really try to bring traditional craftsmanship back to the region."

    He will also work as an ambassador with the Lake District Foundation, championing environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.

    Lee PatonImage source, Lake District Foundation
  15. Weather on the fells: Near-gale gusts and showerspublished at 08:08 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2021

    • Temperature at 3,000ft: around -2C to 0C (28F to 32F).
    • Winds: Near-gale southwesterly winds, with gusts to 50mph to 55mph.
    • Cloud: Cloud bases rather changeable as showers come and go - often to 2,500ft (800m) but at times to 1,500ft (500m) in showers.
    • Weather: Scattered showers and sunny intervals. Some showers heavy, with hail and isolated thunder a possibility. Showers falling as snow above about 1,300ft (400m).
    • Visibility: Highly variable as showers come and go, from very good, to very poor during showers.
    • Freezing level: Around 2,600ft (700m).
    Helvellyn down to Striding EdgeImage source, Fell Top Assessors

    This misty view of Striding Edge and Red Tarn was taken by the Fell Top Assessors who warn of wintery showers for the next few days.

  16. Visitor bookings to Cumbria are looking goodpublished at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    BBC Radio Cumbria

    Tourism businesses in Cumbria say they're under pressure to make as much money as possible this summer, to see them through the winter.

    Simon Cleasby is an independent agent for Holiday Cottages Cumbria, he said bookings are filling up for the Autumn: " From June onwards we've seen a massive surge in bookings even as far through to October and November.

    "We're already 40% booked for November which is something we wouldn't normally see."

    Dan Visser, from the Langdale Estate, is a non-executive director with Cumbria Tourism, he said: "We need that strong trading throughout the summer to see us through the winter but let's hope this demand stays longer and continues through the winter and then we'll all be fine I'm sure."

    Lake District view near Keswick
  17. Trial scheme to stop parents parking at schoolpublished at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    A South Cumbria school has been picked for a trial that will mean parents won't be able to park their cars close to it during key times.

    Askham VIllage school in Askham-in-Furness will be the first in the county to try the initiative called "school streets", which will stop cars being allowed to park up outside at drop-off and pick-up times.

    Cumbria County Council says the scheme will be extended to other schools if it is successful.

    Askham Village schoolImage source, Google
  18. Calls to focus on Maryport's empty shopspublished at 12:02 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    An Allerdale councillor has called for action to address the number of empty shops in Maryport, as well as those struggling because of the pandemic.

    Independent councillor for Maryport North, George Kemp, welcomed the news the town will receive £11.5m from the government's Future High Street Fund but says it's important to attract new businesses to the town centre.

    It comes as a number of shops are set to close or move away from the town centre, including the Original Factory Shop on Senhouse Street.

    Mr Kemp said: “It would be tragic if the regeneration works are completed with swathes of empty businesses left in the town."

    He's called on Allerdale council’s leader, Conservative councillor Mike Johnson, to “incentivise new businesses to open in Maryport".

    Mr Johnson said the council “will be working with shop owners and businesses to try and attract new business into those vacant premises in Maryport”.

    Maryport shopsImage source, Google
  19. Crack down on fly-tippers after increase in dumped rubbishpublished at 11:48 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    People in Cumbria are being warned to ensure their rubbish is disposed of legally, as local councils report an increase in fly-tipping.

    Carlisle City Council has a fleet of six new vehicles, some fitted with CCTV cameras, and will be doing patrols of the area to try and catch people responsible.

    Brian Smith, civil enforcement officer for the council, said it's not just furniture and building materials that are being dumped: "We're getting people dumping containers of oil and horrible things like that in the countryside and they're ending up in streams which has a massive impact on the local wildlife."

    Fly-tipped furniture
  20. Couple killed in van crash 'devoted' to familypublished at 11:30 Greenwich Mean Time 11 March 2021

    Terry Abson died at the scene while Georgina Lands passed away a week after they were hit by a van.

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