Rolling news from Cumbria

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3rd & 7 37yd

Your live rolling news blog will return on Monday January 6. Ho ho ho!

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 5:11:28 PM
Thank you for your support in setting up this rolling blog and for your continued feedback.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a lovely Christmas and a prosperous New Year, whatever you are doing.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 5:10:51 PM
And that, followers, is that. We will be closing the blog now - not just for today, but for the year.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 5:09:40 PM
Following on from that Broughton Moor crash, traffic updates show that recovery work is still ongoing into that crash. The A594 is closed while this happens.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 4:46:10 PM
Hi airport employee, there will be a story in tomorrow's News & Star. However no decision was made today by the council, following further complications.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 4:39:20 PM
Any news from Carlisle City Council planning meeting? Are they backing the development at the airport still?

by airport employee 12/20/2013 4:38:22 PM
Firefighters this afternoon were called to a three-vehicle crash at the junction of Seaton Road and Church Road in Broughton Moor. Two people were trapped in the collision, at 2.55pm, with one person freed by fire crews using specialist cutting equipment.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 4:37:47 PM
Flood alerts include the rivers: Caldew and Petteril; Lower, Middle and Upper Eden; Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwent Water; and Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster. Others still coming in.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 3:35:56 PM
While it might not be raining at the moment, the Environment Agency has started issuing flood alerts for some of our regions rivers.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 3:33:08 PM
All of the but two of the drivers admitted the charges, and the remaining two were convicted at Carlisle Crown Court after trial. Details coming soon online, with full story and reaction in tomorrow's News & Star.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 3:28:19 PM
Two managers and 15 drivers at a Wigton-based haulage firm have been sentenced in connection with a major haulage fraud. It followed a joint operation between the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Cumbria Police, lasting 3 years.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 3:22:52 PM
Transport police want to speak to this couple about an incident on a Maryport to Workington train

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 2:44:28 PM
Not sure why yet, but there are reports that traffic is queuing on the exit slip road of the M6 northbound at junction 43, for the A69.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 2:32:19 PM
The woman eventually handed the iPod back to the victim, claiming she had found it, but continued to be threatening. The couple left the train at Workington. Anyone who was on the train or has information is urged to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting log NWA/B3 of 20/12/13.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 2:24:01 PM
The 21-year-old victim, from Egremont, told police that a man and woman who had "clearly been drinking alcohol" boarded the train at Maryport and sat near her as she listened to music on her iPod. Someone took her iPod and, when she confronted the couple, they became "extremely abusive and threatening".

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 2:22:04 PM
An appeal has been issued by rail police, after a young woman was threatened and abused on a train between Maryport and Workington. The incident happened shortly before 4pm on Tuesday December 10.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 2:20:58 PM
Staff at north Cumbria's two hospitals have responded positively to a flu vaccination programme - with the biggest uptake the hospital trust has ever seen. Almost 75 per cent of staff have been vaccinated, placing them top of all trusts in the region and fourth out of all trusts in England.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 2:08:41 PM
Thieves broke into a garage and workshop in the village, near Skelton, and stole three full petrol cans and two petrol chainsaws. The break-in happened between December 10 and 13.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 1:45:23 PM
I've not abandoned the blog - although there was a brief respite for lunch. It simply means there's good news and all is fairly quiet at the moment with nothing to report on roads or rail.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 1:30:31 PM
Hi Mark. We have checked this out and unfortunately, there are no chemists open in Cockermouth on those days.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 12:49:06 PM
Mark - It looks like something has gone wrong there. We'll check and amend as necessary.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 12:29:51 PM
would be nice to get the Cockermouth Chemist rotas correct. Or do we have to travel to Workington for our pills

by Mark 12/20/2013 12:29:19 PM
More than 1,000 children have made the trip to visit Father Christmas in his grotto at Dobbies Garden Centre near Carlisle. It is open until December 24, so there is still time to visit!

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 12:24:34 PM
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Dryfesdale Cemetery, in Lockerbie, tomorrow to commemorate 25 years since the Lockerbie disaster. Pan Am flight 103 exploded in the air above the Dumfriesshire town on Monday December 21, 1988, killing 270 people - including 11 Lockerbie residents.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 12:09:16 PM
The brand new 2014 Eden Holiday guide is now available from Eden Council or download it now from here.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 11:37:56 AM
If you think you may need a pharmacy over the festive period or need to check the dates of your refuse collection, can I suggest you bookmark this page? All your essential info for Xmas and New Year is here

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 11:29:00 AM
Allerdale council has partnered with the Croftlands Trust to set up two furnished flats at Fell House for single adults who are homeless or at risk of rough sleeping, but not classed as a priority under homelessness legislation. The scheme also funds an onsite support worker who will help them find alternative and more permanent living arrangements.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 11:26:30 AM
Great news: our front page marking the death of Margaret Thatcher has been shortlisted in the top 12 front pages of the year. Our sister paper in the south of the county, the North West Evening Mail, has also made the shortlist. It is now down to the public to vote for their favourites. Which one is yours? View the 12 shortlisted front pages here.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 11:26:29 AM
New temporary supported accommodation for vulnerable people at risk of sleeping rough has been introduced in Workington as part of the Government’s ‘No Second Night Out’ initiative. Fell House, which has been empty for more than two years, is now being used to support people as part of a 2-year pilot scheme funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 11:25:07 AM
A quick reminder that Penrith's Winter Festival continues right up to Christmas. Today is one of its Festive Fridays, with free parking from 3pm for all visitors.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 11:17:00 AM
For any of our southern readers heading north, the earlier lane closure on the M6 between junction 38 for Tebay and junction 39 for Shap has now been cleared. Traffic should be moving freely.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 10:47:08 AM
In the ever-changing world of weather in which we live, the earlier yellow warning for ice has now been removed by the Met Office. However, the yellow warning for rain has been extended to last until tomorrow afternoon, with the warning that localised flooding is possible.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 10:28:25 AM
All the details of that jailed burglar are online here now.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 10:13:02 AM
A burglar with a criminal record spanning two decades has been jailed for five-and-a-half years after admitting stealing from two Carlisle homes. More details online shortly.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 10:08:42 AM
A bit of snow left from yesterday's showers above 1000ft Guess it will all be washed away later #uksnow #hartside http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bb623MHIIAATq_h.jpg

by pacrabtree via twitter 12/20/2013 9:52:40 AM
Councillors in Carlisle are today considering "afresh" the proposals for the city's airport, in light of a legal challenge. We will have a reporter there to bring you all the latest.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 9:51:31 AM
Still remarkably quiet on the roads after the chaos of recent days. Traffic sensors have just picked up minor delays on the A6 Middlegate, in Penrith. Traffic is slow both ways at the Market Square junction, but there are no incidents.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 9:36:09 AM
The yellow Met Office warning force - issued yesterday for parts of the north west - has today been extended to include Cumbria. This is on top of the existing yellow warning for rain. Weather officials are warning that the two combined could make road conditions treacherous, so be careful.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 9:27:44 AM
Fancy seeing Santa on a steam train? Father Christmas on a cruise? Keswick Tourism officials are reminding people that it still has a range of fun festivities on offer as we count down the days to Christmas. For more details, visit their website.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 9:25:24 AM
Charities have condemned the thief who stole from them in a string of raids across the county. All the details are in The Cumberland News - out today.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 8:48:53 AM
For the first time this year, hardy swimmers can brave the cold winter and take a festive swim. Cumbria Tourism has announced details of the Lake District's very first official festive open water swim. It will take place at Brockhole, The Lake District National Park Visitor Centre, Windermere, at 11am on Boxing Day. Are you brave enough?

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 8:46:36 AM
What goes "oh oh oh"?

Santa going backwards.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 8:39:59 AM
I've been given permission to kick it off today with my current favourite Christmas joke.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 8:39:31 AM
Good morning all. I am your festive live blogging reporter today. Keep in touch, get involved and share your news - and cheesy Christmas jokes! - with us.

by emily.parsons 12/20/2013 8:37:26 AM
Ho-ho-ho! Suits you Broggy. You'll be welcome down my chimney and no mistake.

by anne.pickles 12/20/2013 8:17:22 AM
And if you were wondering what the avatar is - I've been given a Christmas make-over....

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 8:12:39 AM
Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart has welcomed the Bank of England's announcement that it is to enter into a contract with Innovia Security of Wigton to produce the polymer for the UK's plastic bank notes. "This is amazing for Wigton, and amazing for Cumbria in terms of the national endorsement of our major strengths and innovations in the manufacturing world. It is always a pleasure to support such an innovative company at the very heart of my constituency," he said. You can read the story about the contract here.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 8:08:00 AM
Black Eye Friday. Festive Friday. Whatever you call it, it's today. And if you're in Carlisle, you can expect to see this: Carlisle police will patrol with medics to nip trouble in the bud before it leads to arrest and injury.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 7:43:49 AM
Those wet and windy conditions are due to stay until the early hours of tomorrow morning. Forecasters expect the gusts to be of similar strength to Wednesday night's winds.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 7:41:35 AM
On the weather front, it'll be a bit of a mixed day by the look of things. It's a bright start with a few showers. However, it will become increasingly cloudy with wet and windy conditions spreading through the afternoon.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 7:40:07 AM
And as for Virgin Trains. Well, that's fine. No incidents, problems or delays currently being reported.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 7:37:37 AM
Northern Rail says the 7.45am Dumfries to Newcastle service will now start from Carlisle and will no longer call at Annan and Gretna Green. It's due to a train problem. Other than that, no other problems or incidents to report.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 7:36:26 AM
Looking at the roads, there are currently no problems or incidents across the county. Take care, though - temperatures dropped last night and there may still be patches of ice in some places.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 7:33:10 AM
Good morning! It's Friday, December 20. Welcome to the last rolling news blog of 2013.

by Ian, News & Star 12/20/2013 7:23:03 AM