Shop Bridge Strengthening Works: Start date

The strengthening works at Shop Bridge are due to commence on Monday 23^rd August and complete on 22^nd October 2021. Due to the nature of the works, the bridge will be closed during this time. Enclosed is a copy of the Contractors Traffic Management Plan.

Following the requests for a temporary footbridge, the Contractor has been to site with a specialist supplier to explore feasibility. Unfortunately, due to the required span of the temporary footbridge, the Contractor has not been able source a suitable temporary footbridge. This is because the supplier could only provide a lightweight footbridge which can span 8 metres. However, the river is wider than this. Going above the lightweight temporary bridge, would involve designing temporary abutments and flood risk assessments. This combined with an already narrowed channel for working in, the Contractor is not comfortable with the potential flood risk. A larger bridge that can span 13 metres has been investigated. The larger bridge would require delivery on an articulated wagon and lifting into position using a crane, this would have involved creating turning areas for wagons, and crane pads which are just not viable cost wise.

We apologise for the inconvenience that the closure will cause and appreciate your understanding so that the work can take place to enable the bridge to reopen to its’ full capacity.

SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

News release

18 August 2021

GREEN WASTE COLLECTION DISRUPTION WARNING

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) says it will continue to prioritise key general waste and kerbside recycling collections, but has warned green waste collections could be disrupted in the coming weeks.

Sion Thomas, Operational Lead for Delivery and Commercial Services at SLDC, said the authority was working to minimise the disruption, and explained: “Like many organisations nationally we have been impacted by the well-documented national shortage of qualified HGV drivers for our wagons, with difficulties recruiting to current vacancies.

“This has been compounded by the ongoing impact of waste and recycling staff being affected by Covid and increased waste tonnages, which means it is taking longer to complete the collection rounds, with recycling and green waste volumes up by more than 11 per cent from the norm, equating to around another 5,000 households of waste.

“We are not alone in these issues and councils the length of the country are facing similar challenges, with many, including some of our neighbouring authorities in Cumbria, already suspending collections.

“Official Government guidance if councils are struggling is to first look to suspend the non-statutory green waste collections to protect the main general waste and recycling collections.

“We make collections from more than 50,000 properties every week and, at present, we are still managing to maintain services and we are not suspending green collections at this stage. However, we are informing residents that there may well be some disruption to some green collections over the coming weeks. We are doing everything we can to minimise the disruption.

“On a day-to-day basis we will be looking for solutions to issues as they arise, but it may mean adjustments to rounds, we may turn up a bit earlier or later than usual, and it may mean in some areas that green waste collections are missed as we need to use that wagon and crew for general waste or recycling collection duties in other areas.

“Our guidance to householders is that we will try to collect your grey bin or recycling on the scheduled day. If we are unable to do this please leave your waste or recycling available for collection. We will return as soon as possible, which may be the following Saturday morning. If we are unable to collect your green bin on the scheduled day please take the bin back to the storage point until the next scheduled collection day.

“Once again we are asking for patience and understanding from residents during this period and we want to reassure our communities that we are working hard to maintain collections as much as we can, while recognising that some of the current impacts are because of circumstances beyond our control.’’

If your collection has been missed, please visit the SLDC website at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/bins-and-boxes/recycling-garden-and-general-waste-bins for more details about what to do next.

Ends

For more information, please contact the SLDC Communications Team on 01539 793300.

SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

News release

4 August 2021

BLUE GREEN ALGAE DETECTED IN SECTION OF LAKE

The Environment Agency, which regularly inspects lakes and rivers and carries out water sampling, has informed South Lakeland District Council that there is evidence of blue-green algae in a section of water in Windermere lake.

Environment Agency testing has taken samples and found that the waters close to Fell Foot have been found to have a blue-green algal bloom or the potential for one to form.

Anyone using lakes, rivers and reservoirs should treat all blue-green algae blooms with caution and contact with the algae and associated algal scum should be avoided as skin rashes may occur if affected water is in direct contact with the skin and illness may occur if the water is swallowed.

Signs have been put up at the affected bathing areas of the lake informing people about the presence of blue-green algae.

An SLDC spokesperson said: “Blue-green algae can potentially make people feel quite ill if swallowed or even by just swimming in it.

“We want the public to be aware of the effects and are asking people to be extra careful and vigilant when using the lakes and rivers for recreational purposes during the summer months.

“Farmers and pet owners should also prevent livestock and animals coming into contact or drinking the affected water, as it can sometimes prove fatal for animals.

“People should observe any notices near affected areas and avoid contact or drinking water from areas identified.”

Many standing waters are vulnerable to problems with blue-green algae, typically between June and November.

All blue-green algae blooms should be assumed to be toxic and the blooms vary in colour from discoloured green, blue-green, greenish brown, or reddish brown. The blooms do subside and this is a temporary situation.

Further information about blue-green algae can be found on the Environment Agency’s website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Ends

For more information, please contact the SLDC Communications Team on 01539 793300.

News release (with pictures)

1 June 2021

FRIDGES FLY-TIPPED AT BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS

South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) is appealing for information after household items including two old fridges were fly-tipped at Broughton-in-Furness.

Carpets, drawers, a microwave and two fridges were dumped at the town’s recycling bank site on Foxfield Road last week.

Council officers are investigating several similar incidents at the location, and they are appealing to anyone who may recognise the items to come forward. They are hoping the magnets on the fridge doors may help to jog people’s memories, including one that appears to be from a holiday in Bulgaria.

SLDC Locality Officer Phil Metcalfesaid: “Both fridges have distinctive fridge magnets on and seem to have been left outside for some time before being dumped. Are these items familiar? Did anyone see these items being unloaded from a vehicle at this site? Please help us to find out who is responsible. If you have any information, you can email locality@southlakeland.gov.uk”

Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence. The maximum penalty that can be imposed by the courts is a £50,000 fine and up to five years in prison for the most serious offences. Householders may not realise that they also have a legal duty of care to ensure that waste is only removed from their property by registered waste carriers. If waste from your home is found to have been fly-tipped, you could be prosecuted and run the risk of a £5,000 fine and a criminal record.

Cllr Philip Dixon, SLDC portfolio holder for Customer and Locality Services, said: “Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime. As well as the cost to the environment, the financial cost of clearance, disposal and investigation is ultimately borne by the Council Tax payers of the district. We investigate every case of fly-tipping reported and, if appropriate, action will be taken. This can range from fixed penalty notices and warning letters being issued to prosecutions, potentially significant fines and even custodial sentences.”

Ends

For more information, please contact the SLDC Communications Team on 01539 793300.

Captions

1, 2 & 3. The two old fridges fly-tipped at Broughton-in-Furness have distinctive magnets on them.

4. Microwave dumped at Broughton.

5. Old drawers fly-tipped at Broughton.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO CLEAN UP SOUTH LAKELAND

To help keep our beautiful district clean and green, South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) is launching the Clean Up South Lakeland campaign.

The campaign is designed to encourage everyone to take pride in their neighbourhood and SLDC is kicking things off by supporting Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, from Friday 28 May to Sunday 13 June.

This nationwide event is an ideal opportunity to roll up your sleeves and help clean up your corner of South Lakeland. It could be the street where you live, a nearby park or playground, or your favourite patch of countryside or coast.

During the pandemic, while everyone has been spending so much more time at home, the places on our doorstep have become more important to us than ever. You might want to pick a location that has really helped you through lockdown, somewhere that has been beneficial for your mental and physical health in this past year.

SLDC can support you by loaning equipment such as litter pickers, hi-vis jackets and gloves, subject to availability, as well as supplying rubbish sacks and arranging for its Street Scene crews to collect the filled bags of rubbish afterwards.

This will be the fifth year the council has supported the Great British Spring Clean, run by Keep Britain Tidy. The aim for 2021 is the #MillionMileMission to clean up 1 million miles with help from #LitterHeroes such as volunteers, councils, charities and businesses.

Now that outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people are permitted, you can pledge to take part as a group or as an individual. To make a pledge and check the current health and safety guidance, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org

Councillor Dyan Jones, SLDC’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “It is great to welcome back the GB Spring Clean for another year. Litter-picking is a very worthwhile activity with many benefits, such as making where we live safer and more attractive; getting out and exercising in the fresh air; and feeling more connected to your community.

“As a council we are more than happy to help volunteers, and I would urge anybody to think seriously about taking part, whether with friends, neighbours, family, colleagues or on your own. It doesn’t need to take a long time. Just an hour or two can make a big difference.”

Cllr Jones continued: “One of the key themes in our Council Plan is addressing the climate emergency, and our ambition is “a more beautiful, quieter and cleaner district leading the way to net zero”.

“Once the GB Spring Clean is over, we will be keeping the momentum going with our Clean Up South Lakeland campaign. The council will be rolling out some great initiatives over the summer as our teams work to keep South Lakeland litter-free, as well as inspiring residents and businesses to do their bit.”

Cllr Philip Dixon, portfolio holder for Customer and Locality Services, said: “It is important that we all take pride in where we live. We live in such a beautiful area, including parts of two National Parks, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, and we want to do everything we can to protect these wonderful surroundings for generations to come.”

If you would like to arrange to borrow litter-picking kit or collection of filled rubbish bags, please email: locality@southlakeland.gov.uk

To find out more about the Great British Spring Clean and make your pledge, visit: www.keepbritaintidy.org

SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

News release

26 April 2021

APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN FOR BUSINESS RESTART GRANTS

The application process for the government’s one-off Restart Grants for South Lakeland businesses is now open.

The grants for businesses affected by the coronavirus restrictions are being administered by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) in two strands – non-essential retail businesses (Strand One); and hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym or sport business premises (Strand Two).

In Strand One, businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or below will receive £2,667, a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive £4,000 and a rateable value of £51,000 or over will receive £6,000.

In Strand Two, businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or below will receive £8,000, a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive £12,000 and a rateable value of £51,000 or over will receive £18,000.

All information relating to restart grants, along with the application form can be found here: https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/business-support-grants-coronavirus-covid-19-1-april-2021-onwards

It should take no longer than 15 minutes to fill out the application form if you have everything with you to do so. Applicants should consult the Restart Grant checklist on the website first.

The Restart Grant scheme is for businesses in the business ratings list only.

More details on other support available – including business rate relief, free business support and advice available to businesses in South Lakeland – can also be found on the SLDC website.

Notes

All Local Restrictions Support Grants are now closed to new applications as of midnight on 31 March 2021.

Businesses awaiting an outcome of their LRSG application submitted before the 31 March deadline are asked to please allow us some time to work through these as we have had an increase in applications in the run-up to the deadline.

We are able to make payments to businesses eligible for the second LRSG(C) Addendum 16 Feb to 31 Mar payment up until 31 May 2021. Businesses should contact us at businessgrants@southlakeland.gov.uk with their business rates account number and property address if they think they may be eligible for this payment and have yet to receive it.

To report a change in your business rated property that might impact your grant eligibility, please email: counciltax@southlakeland.gov.uk

To report a missing payment, a grant overpayment or a suspected fraudulent business grant claim, please email: businessgrants@southlakeland.gov.uk

Ends

Duddon Parish Council are committed to the Greening Campaign.

The Campaign is about local people taking local action about climate change. We believe that if individuals take small actions, all those add up to make a big difference. If lots of communities take action, then the difference we make may start to reduce the effects of climate change.

To find out more about the campaign, please visit http://www.greening-campaign.org/

If you would like to get involved please contact any of the Parish Councillors here

PLEASE READ THIS: you can make a difference!

Duddon Parish Council are beginning the process to register the path that we call Occupation Lane (the Occy) as a Public Right of Way (Bridleway). This is something that we have been contacted about both recently and in the past and is of huge importance to the people who live here. It would clarify the rights of individuals who use that path and those who own the land.

The process of registering the lane as a public right of way needs us to gather evidence proving that the lane has been used by people on a regular basis. Many of us will have used the lane to walk dogs and to access Foxfield Station etc. This will be the most useful form of evidence and we should be grateful for a written statement or preferably, fill in a form which is available here

It is important that those of us who complete statements understand that once submitted they will become public documents.

It is also important to understand that the only change to the present situation of Occy Lane, is that it will be officially a Public Right of Way.

THANK YOU. We look forward to hearing from you.

The statutory consultation for the proposed 20mph in Broughton-in-Furness will begin on Thursday 3^rd December and will be advertised in the Westmorland Gazette. The 21 day formal consultation would be due to conclude on Thursday 24^th December 2020. Due to this we are proposing that the consultation is extended till Monday 4^th January 2021 to allow extra time through the Christmas period.

The details will also be letter dropped to all properties in Broughton-in-Furness