READERS have had their say on swingeing cuts to Cumbria’s pothole repair budget. The Government has slashed a total of £10.5m in funding to the council, a cut of almost a quarter. The County Councils Network says the reduction in funding across England means councils will have no choice but to cancel planned road maintenance projects. Cumbria County Council will receive £33.8m to maintain roads in 2021-22, the Department for Transport has announced. That s £10.5m less than the £44.3m provided in the current financial year – a reduction of 24 per cent. Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Coun. Keith Little, described the news as “frustrating.”
OPTIMISM: News & Star readers reacted to the comments made by the leading expert This week, the News & Star reported the comments of an expert member of a leading Sage subgroup, who expressed the opinion that Britain could experience a close to normal summer based on current estimates in relation to the Covid vaccine rollout. Based on his calculations, if the current vaccine programme continues at its current rate of effectiveness, this could mean that the UK would be in a position to ease controls in the coming months. Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of Sage subgroup the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M), said scientists believed vaccines would block transmission of coronavirus but it was not yet known by how much.
Here s what you, as readers, had to say about the news. Mark Holliday said: Only when the people of this country can exercise self discipline and respect for others. Pat Kirkup commented; The Covid variants are making me less optimistic, but oh I do hope so. Our scientists have made us so proud and I’m hoping they can adjust the vaccines if necessary. Keeping everything crossed. Jimmy Little added: I not sure we will be, but I do hope so bring it on please. Ray McBride said: Of course it will let s be optimistic going forward Pat Upex added: We shouldn t run before we can walk.
As pubs offering ‘substantial meals’ reopened this month in time for Christmas to serve food to their sorely-missed regulars, we decided to ask our readers where they will be heading for a festive treat meal over the coming week. We have quite the range of options in today’s list from across our region, and if you are looking for inspiration for somewhere new to try in north Cumbria, you have come to the right place. Anyway, in no particular order, here are the best places for a Christmas dinner, as decided by our readers. 1 METAL BRIDGE INN, CARLISLE Reader Pat Kirkup expressed her gratitude for an enjoyable meal at this Carlisle venue last year.