Cumbria County Council has clarified its position on Kendal's Victoria Bridge, after issuing a confusing public notice last week.

It suggested the bridge was going to be closed for up to 18 months from this Wednesday so improvement work could be carried out.

It caused concern among local people, as the bridge re-opened earlier this month, after divers finished important work on the river bed.

The council has today said the notice refers to an 18 month period, during which work will be carried out at some point - with no dates set so far.

The man who died in the crash on the M6 through Cumbria yesterday was an officer for Highways England.

He was responding to a separate incident when the three-vehicle collision happened between Junctions 38 and 37 on Sunday lunchtime.

His colleague was seriously hurt.

Two air ambulances were called to the crash near Tebay.

The southbound side was closed for 9 hours.

Police have confirmed that the Highways England Officer who died in a serious collision on the M6 yesterday afternoon (Sunday) was 51-year-old Adam Gibb, from Penrith.

Police were called at 12.10pm to reports of a vehicle veering off the M6 Southbound carriageway between junction 37 and 38.

A black Mercedes vehicle driven by a 35-year-old Manchester man left the carriageway before colliding with Mr Gibb and a second Highways England officer, while they were at the roadside dealing with a separate incident.

Mr Gibb died at the scene as a result of the collision.

His family has paid this tribute: “Adam was a fantastic dad and a wonderful husband and will be deeply missed. He enjoyed mountain biking, fell running and walking on the fells with our dogs. Adam loved his job and really enjoyed being part of the team there.”

Jim O’Sullivan, Chief Executive at Highways England, said: “Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the two Highways England traffic officers who were involved in this terrible incident. The police are carrying out an investigation and we are assisting them in any way that we can.

“Everyone at Highways England has been deeply affected by this incident and we would ask that the privacy of those closest to the officers is respected at this difficult time.”

The second Highways England officer, a 51-year-old man from Kirby Stephen, was transferred to James Cook hospital with serious injuries, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

The M6 southbound was closed for nine hours while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said: “This was a tragic incident. My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Adam Gibb who lost his life yesterday, and his colleague who suffered serious injuries, in Cumbria while doing their jobs.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to call Cumbria Police on 101.

The future of the South Lakes Safari Zoo dominates Barrow Borough Council's agenda for the next week.

They'll meet three times in seven days to discuss renewed safety concerns about the Dalton attraction's walkways; and about whether to renew the park's licence.

The authority's Licensing Regulatory Committee is expected to demand that the zoo shut all its public wooden walkways and platforms.

Previously, the park's management had said it'd complied with an order issued in December to make sure they're safe.

However, according to a report going before councillors today, the attraction has only carried out surveys on walkways that were more than 30cm above the ground - they say that's what they were asked to do; the council says no such condition existed.

Meanwhile, a decision on whether to renew the zoo's licence won't be made until the last minute - it expires in June and the council's been recommended to defer its decision until then.

That's to give the park time to implement 62 conditions and recommendations drawn-up following an inspection by government appointed zoo inspectors in November.

Issues the council say need to be dealt with include escapes, and animal welfare and diet.

The attraction itself says it's met many of the requirements already and that aspects of that inspection report were factually incorrect and misleading.

Ambleside is to stage a brand new event - the country’s first 'Festival of the Fells', later this year.

Organisers say the event will offer what they're describing as "a feast" of walking, swimming, scrambling, food, and music.

It's going to be held in September, to celebrate the local landscape, culture, history and outdoor activities.

It's being set up by 'Ambleside Together', from September the 22nd until the 25th.

Ambleside Together chairman Andrew Hewitt said: “This is a really exciting opportunity. The town is known in the equipment world as the European outdoors capital, and we have so much to celebrate here on our doorstep. We hope that this will be appreciated and enjoyed by regular visitors and newcomers to the area.”

The programme of events will include guided walks over Loughrigg and Wansfell, Red Screes, and the Fairfield Horseshoe, combined swim and walk tours using lakes and tarns, and talks on the history, fell-walking and climbing exploits of the area.

The organisers also hope that local restaurants and cafes will create special festival dishes for their menus.

One of the talks already scheduled is by Clive Hutchby who has been commissioned to revise and update all the Wainwright guide books to the Lakeland fells.

A 27 year old man's being treated in hospital in Preston after falling 150 metres down a mountain the Lake District.

The Patterdale Mountain Rescue team was called out to Helvellyn at 2.45pm yesterday, after he fell from Swirral Edge.

A group of walkers at Red Tarn alerted the team, which called a Coastguard helicopter to winch the man off the fell.

A previous rescue attempt using an air ambulance had to be aborted due to poor visibility caused by wintry weather.

Mountain Rescue Team members treated the casualty on scene before he was flown to hospital for further treatment.

The Penrith Mountain Rescue Team, Cumbria Police and the crew of the Coastguard Helicopter have been thanked by the Patterdale crew for their assistance in the rescue.

A national maternity review calling for women to be given more choice and control over how to give birth means nothing unless people have meaningful options, South Lakes MP Tim Farron has insisted, as he renewed calls for the restoration of a 24hr maternity unit in Kendal.

The independent Cumberlege Report was set up following an investigation into the dysfunctional maternity unit at Furness General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS foundation trust.

One of the key recommendations of the report was that women should have control over their own personal maternity care budget – worth around £3000 – so that they can have greater choice about where and how they give birth, whether they give birth in a midwife-run unit, a hospital or at home.

However, local MP Tim Farron has pointed out that pregnant women in South Lakeland do not have access to the full range of options, following the closure of the post-natal care ward and the ending of 24 hour cover at Helme Chase Maternity Unit at Westmorland General Hospital, with midwives only providing over-night cover on an on-call basis.

The report acknowledges that “maternity services in remote areas have unavoidably higher costs because the level of activity is too low for services to operate at an efficient scale” and welcomes the decision to introduce a ‘sparsity adjustment’ into the funding formula used to allocate Clinical Commissioning Group budgets.

The report insists that “there is no clinical reason why an obstetric unit cannot operate safely in a remote and rural area with a relatively low number of births each year… [But] there are only likely to be a small handful of such units in the most remote areas of England.” Tim has written to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to put forward the case for 24hr cover at the Helme Chase Maternity Unit in Kendal.
 
Tim said: “It is right that women are given a range of childbirth options, but at the moment women in Westmorland simply do not have access to the full range of choices. Without a 24hr maternity service in Kendal, calls for greater choice mean nothing as women do not have meaningful options.

This situation not only reduces women’s options, but risks safety as women have to travel to hospitals elsewhere to give birth. We urgently need to restore full 24hr service to the Helme Chase Maternity Unit at Westmorland General Hospital.”

An Oxenholme man's been banned from driving for a year, after admitting driving dangerously near Kendal.

22 year old Jonjo Verity appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today, following his guilty pleas to charges of dangerous driving and having no insurance for a Ford Fiesta, which he drove on the A65 at Oxenholme in June last year.

Verity's vehicle was described as a "development project" which a police expert concluded was unroadworthy.

It was fitted with oversized tyres but no seatbelts, and a lack of inside door covers left sharp pieces of metal exposed.

Verity, of High Park Caravan Park at Oxenholme, must also take an extended re-test before getting his licence back.

Firms that employ thousands of people across Cumbria have signed a letter supporting the campaign to stay in the EU.

In a letter published and signed in The Times this morning, 200 businesses have pledged their support to the pro-EU camp saying that the Union secured business and jobs in the UK.

Several big names have signed the letter, including Sir Roger Carr, the chairman of BAE Systems, which has a huge base in Barrow and employs thousands of people in Cumbria.

Alongside Sir Carr, Sir Andrew Witty, chief executive of GSK and Juergen Maier, the chief executive of Siemens have also signed the letter. Across the UK, the businesses employ 52,200 people.

Notable in their absence, were several leading supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Tesco. The letter reads: “The businesses we lead represent every sector and region of the United Kingdom.

“Together we employ more than one million people across the country. Following the prime minister’s renegotiation we believe that Britain is better off staying in a reformed European Union. He has secured a commitment from the EU to reduce the burden of regulation, deepen the single market and to sign off crucial international trade deals.

Business needs unrestricted access to the European market of 500 million people in order to continue to grow, invest and create jobs. We believe that leaving the EU would deter investment and threaten jobs. It would put the economy at risk. Britain will be stronger, safer and better off remaining a member of the European Union.”

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has announced plans to improve the skill levels of the county's workforce.

The project, known as the Skills Investment Plan, will have a range of targets to achieve by its 2020 deadline. These include increasing the number of apprenticeships within the county from 5000 to 6000, and increasing the number of people with qualifications at diploma level or above by 9000.

Graham Haywood, director of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, says "Due to factors such as demographic changes, economic growth, and investment in the county, in the next 5 years we will need a larger and more skilled workforce.

"The Skills Investment Plan, which has been drawn up in consultation with employers and local colleges, represents a real opportunity to meet these challenges. Our vision is that by 2020, Cumbria will have a vibrant skills system that offers excellent learning environments and opportunities and is able to respond effectively to the current and future needs of our economy.  

"We want businesses to be able to access and develop the skilled workforce they need and residents will be supported to access good quality employment opportunities and to progress in work."

The plan also sets out a range of actions that will be taken to boost skills and employment in the county:

- Large employers will be encouraged to drive the growth in apprenticeships by becoming Apprenticeship Ambassadors; leading business events on apprenticeships and participating in local and national apprenticeship campaigns. Small business will also be encouraged to take on and retain apprentices.

- Detailed work will be carried out to identify skills gaps and targeted training will be focused on sectors with skills gaps.

- Small and medium sized businesses that are in danger of losing skilled staff to major infrastructure projects will be given support to develop their workforce.

- Measures will be taken to raise awareness of the opportunities in Cumbria for ambitious graduates, especially those with the skills to develop careers in

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics.

- The Local Enterprise Partnership will seek an agreement with the lead developer of the nuclear power plants at Moorside, West Cumbria on the number of apprenticeships and work experience places that will be available to local residents.

- There are also plans for literacy, numeracy and IT skills improvement programmes, and opportunities for unemployed or underemployed people on benefits to get qualifications.

- Employers Panels will be established to identify the skills needs of key sectors of the Cumbrian economy on a rolling basis. The Employers Panels will regularly meet with the Local Enterprise Partnership and training providers to ensure that courses on offer meet the changing skills needs of the local economy.

The Local Enterprise Partnership is also making the case to Government for a multi-million pound capital investment programme to expand education and training opportunities in civil engineering construction, nuclear operations and tourism.

The licence holder for a South Cumbria attraction stormed out of a council meeting today (Tuesday), as the venue's licence was being discussed.

In the meeting of the Licensing Regulatory Committee at Barrow Town Hall today, it was determined that all the public wooden walkways at South Lakes Safari Zoo be closed with immediate effect until a direction order regarding them has been complied with.

Councillors were also meeting to discuss the findings of a Periodical and Renewal Inspection report, which concerned the renewal of the zoo's licence that expires on June 6th.

David Gill, the zoo's current licence holder, criticised the report, saying: "This is a critical issue and you have made a report that is absolutely damning. We have the right to have these facts out there. It is not fair for you (the committee) to put your information out there and we can't."

Previously, the park's management had said it had complied with an order issued in December to make sure the walkways were safe.

However, according to a report that went before councillors today, the attraction has only carried out surveys on walkways that were more than 30cm above the ground - they say that's what they were asked to do; the council says no such condition existed.

Meanwhile, a decision on whether to renew the zoo's licence won't be made until the last minute - it expires in June and the council's been recommended to defer its decision until then.

That's to give the park time to implement 62 conditions and recommendations drawn-up following an inspection by government appointed zoo inspectors in November.

Issues the council say need to be dealt with include escapes, and animal welfare and diet.

The attraction itself says it's met many of the requirements already and that aspects of that inspection report were factually incorrect and misleading.

The Lakes Hospitality Trade Show returns to Cumbria today - but this time, it's at a new location.

It's on today and tomorrow at the Rural Auction House in Crooklands, just off junction 36 of the M6.  

The trade-only event's previous home was in the central lakes, but it's been moved to attract more interest from outside the area, due to easier and quicker access by road.

More information about the show is here.

People affected by the recent floods are being urged to visit a flood support and advice service that's rolling into Kendal today.

It will be parked at Morrisons from 3.30pm to 8pm both today and tomorrow.

Reps from Age UK and the Red Cross will be there, to offer help on applying for grants and how people can access other support services.

The unit has been organised as part of a co-ordinated response to the district’s flood recovery, through the South Lakeland Community Flood Recovery group, which includes representatives from Cumbria County and South Lakeland District Councils, the Environment Agency, local and national charities and representatives from the business community.

Penny Pullinger, who is helping to manage the Gateway Mobile Support Unit, said: “What we are finding now is that many people affected by the flooding before Christmas are aware of some of the support that is available, but perhaps not everything they can access.

“By understanding their situation we can help them to get the support they need now and to think about the support they may need over the coming weeks and months.

“By registering they will also be kept up to date with information about grants and flood recovery help."

For those who are interested by won't be able to visit the team, forms to apply for help are also available at the Encouragement Cabin on Sandylands, the Flood Felief Centre in the Westmorland Shopping Centre, or by calling in to the Age UK South Lakeland offices on Finkle Street.

The Gateway Group is also running a flood support advice line on 01539 792028.

South Lakeland District Council looks at the authority's budget today.

There's a warning that the council is looking at running up a £1million defecit by 2020.

That's down to government cuts.

The shortfall is on top of around £750,000 in savings that have already been identified.

Council Tax won't be frozen for 2016/17 as previously thought.

Some spending should be approved - with a new £90,000 Lake Patrol Boat on the way.

The South Lakes MP has laid down an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for a temporary solution to get the A591 back open to regular traffic in time for Easter.

The Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, says it can be done alongside the ongoing permanent repairs, which won't be finished until the end of May.

The key route has been shut since it collapsed at Dunmail Raise between Keswick and Grasmere during Storm Desmond in early December.

Mr. Farron said: “When I speak to local businesses, it is clear that the closure of the A591 is having a devastating impact on the local tourist industry. In April and May, and local economy is set to lose almost £1million per day. This is not just a statistic – these are people’s jobs, businesses and livelihoods that are at stake.
 
“I am calling on the government to re-engage with the Business Taskforce via Highways England. The Business Taskforce has worked tirelessly to research alternative temporary solutions, and have come up with well-researched suggestions. There is no justification for the government pulling out now. A solution to reinstate traffic access along this route by Easter would provide a lifeline to local businesses.
 
“Ever since the road was first damaged, the government has shown a shocking lack of urgency. When the train line was damaged at Dawlish a couple of years back, the government had a team of 300 working around the clock with a budget of £35m, and got it fixed in just over 50 days. Up here, 80 days have already passed yet we’re still three months off the planned reopening. The least the government could do is work with the business taskforce to look into speeding this up. The government must do all it can to get the road reopened as soon as possible.”

Cumbria's Chief Constable is going to return to his post after illness.

Jerry Graham will undergo a phased return from the 1st of March.

He took time away from the role in mid-December.

In the meantime, Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Skeer has been in temporary charge.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said: “I am pleased to welcome Chief Constable Jerry Graham on his return following a period of ill health.  Mr Graham will be returning on 1st March.  Due to the length of time that Mr Graham has been away I have agreed that he will return on a phased basis.
 
“I would like to thank Temporary Chief Constable Michelle Skeer and the Chief Officer Team who stepped up during Mr Graham’s absence and especially for leading the County’s emergency response to Storm Desmond the devastating flooding in early December.  I have received many appreciative comments from members of the public about the Constabulary’s response to Storm Desmond.”
 
Chief Constable Jerry Graham said: “I am pleased to be returning to work.  I would like to thank everyone for their kind messages and support during my illness.
 
“I have allocated the first month (March) to receive detailed briefings and to bring myself back up to speed on the key developments for the Constabulary.”

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes, has agreed the policing budget for 2016/17 and the financial forecasts from 2017/18 to 2019/20.

This was announced at a meeting of his Executive Board today. 

In setting the budget, the Commissioner has consulted with the public, taken advice from the Chief Constable and has received support from the Police and Crime Panel.  

As a result, the policing part of the council tax precept will increase by £4.05 per annum for a band D property, and takes the total police element of the precept for band D to £216.63 per year.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said:  “I welcome the fact that I have been able to set the policing budget for 2016/17, the next financial year.  

“The budget was confirmed today at a meeting of my Executive Board following public consultation, advice from the Chief Constable and support from the Police and Crime Panel.  

“I am pleased and proud that the increase in the policing part of the council tax precept has allowed police officers numbers to remain above 1,120 and Police Community Support Officers numbers to remain at 95 for another financial year.  

"I have been able during my term of Office to maintain police officer numbers above 1,120  despite a number of financial challenges.  

"I feel that it has been important to maintain visible policing in our communities as people tell me that this is what they want to see.

“This will be my final Budget that I set as Police and Crime Commissioner.  

"There have been some difficult decisions over the last three and a half years and there may be some even more difficult challenges to come especially in connection with the future of the funding formula.  

"However, I am leaving the budget in a strong position and it is as well placed as it can be for any future challenges.”

Temporary Chief Constable, Michelle Skeer said: “I am pleased that the police budget has now been set for the next financial year.

"The Constabulary continues to face major financial challenges and a lot of work is taking place to ensure we can continue to provide a viable independent police force.

“We will continue to seek ways in which we can increase our efficiency in order to protect the people of Cumbria and provide them with the best possible policing service.”

The A590 at Lindale Hill is partially closed due to a road accident. 

Cumbria Police were called to the scene today at 12.39pm. 

It's believed that a motorcyclist has collided with a barrier and come off their bike. 

One lane is closed eastbound between B5271 and B5277 (Meathop Roundabout).

Traffic is reported to be moving slowly, and an ambulance is also at the scene. 

You can find more details at The Bay Travel Centre. 

More to come. 

A bumper crowd attended the Lakes Hospitality Trade Show this week, after organisers moved it to a bigger and easier to access venue.

With more than 100 businesses exhibiting and guests filling the car park at the Rural Auction Centre at Junction 36, the two day event got off to a busy start.

Designed to showcase the range of businesses in the area that cater to the hospitality industry, the event has been a mainstay for the region’s businesses for decades.

Organisers moved it to a bigger venue this year in response to its growing popularity.

Event organiser Nick Hood said: “It’s been a bit of a good crazy morning, glorious sunshine, we have over 120 exhibitors here and the visitors are flooding through the doors.

“We’ve had a few years at Grasmere, but we ran out of space as the show grew in size and we needed more parking spaces, so we had a chat and found this venue and its perfect with great access just off Junction 36.

“What this place is good for has been to open it up to the wider business community as well, so people further south than Cumbria , such as Morecambe Lancaster and Barrow so it’s opening up the area.”

Following the December floods and the number of businesses affected, Mr Hood said that the show demonstrated how the region is open for business.

“This is the 41st year of running the show and it’s always been at this time of year, and this year it is more important than ever, businesses that are here are open and want to get the word out and want to see.

“We’re here for two days, and anyone with links to the hospitality trade can come down whether you’re a B&B, hotel, supplier, manufacturer, so people can come down, all the foodies, and marketing people are here as well.”

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron attended the event yesterday, and spoke about the change of location and the encouraging signs from the industry. He said: “It’s a superb day, we’re at a fantastic venue here at the Auction Mart which is really easy for anyone to get to and I’ve found it to be one of the best of these events that I’ve been to.

“The Auction Mart is absolutely full to the brim with plenty of great businesses selling their products to one another, and there’s lots of businesses from outside the area that have made the effort to come because it’s easy to get to.

“You really see the vitality here, lots of local brands, breweries, butchers, all sorts of things are on offer reminding you what a fantastic offer there is for people whether they’re tourists and day visitors.”

Outline planning permission is expected to be given for 330 new homes in Ulverston.

A builder wants to put them up on land at Nook Farm on Colt House Lane.

This is one of the largest sites allocated for new builds in SLDC's Land Allocations document.

The council's planning committee meets to discuss the plan in Kendal this morning.

Issues on the agenda include finding out whether so many homes can be fit into the plot; what flood risk the development might bring; and how many of the homes will be affordable.