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Police declare major incident and urge against travel to Cumbria after snowfall

Cumbria police said some highway teams had been ‘verbally abused’ as they attempted to deal with the situation., article bookmarked.

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Cumbria Police has urged people not to travel to the county on Sunday after it declared a major incident because of heavy snowfall on the county’s roads.

The force said a multi-agency response was ongoing on Saturday evening to “minimise the challenges that heavy snowfall is continuing to have on the county’s road network”.

It has urged people not to travel to the county on Sunday unless necessary, adding that some highway teams had been “verbally abused” as they attempted to deal with the situation.

In a post on social media, Cumbria Police said: “A yellow weather warning for ice is in place for tomorrow morning which will have a continued impact on Cumbria’s roads.

“We would also urge people not to travel to the county tomorrow unless necessary.”

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service said it was utilising its 4 x 4 vehicles to help “vulnerable people stuck in the snow as required”, adding that it was assisting at reception centres.

Cumbria Police said the M6 southbound between J38 and J37 was blocked on Saturday due to jackknifed lorries and that the A595 between Millom and Furness was impassable.

National Highways said it was also dealing with a large number of stranded vehicles on Saturday evening, particularly on the M6 between J38 and J40.

Cumbria Police issued a number of further road closures and delay warnings just after midnight on Sunday, with the A591 Windermere Road (Plumgarth Roundabout, Kendal) to Wythburn and A5092 between Whicham and Greenodd impassable due to heavy snowbanks and frozen conditions.

Police urged residents to stay indoors and to check the traffic map on the Cumbria Police website if travel is needed.

A number of local community venues have also opened to provide support to those impacted by the heavy snowfall, including Ambleside Parish Centre, Braithwaite Hall and Esthwaite Primary School.

Earlier on Saturday, Cumbria Police said it was aware of multiple reports of vehicles stuck in traffic in the South Lakes area, particularly in the Bowness and Grizedale areas, because of snow.

Superintendent Andy Wilkinson said: “We are continuing to see challenging conditions in Cumbria.

“Agencies across the county have been working hard and will be into the night in response to the impact of heavy snowfall.

“We are aware of a number of incidents in which highway teams and those assisting in the efforts to support those affected by the snow have been verbally abused.

“We understand people’s frustration during this time; however, agencies are working hard to improve the situation in Cumbria and are also facing the challenging road conditions when responding.

“The snow today ended up being much more significant than forecast and the amber warning that was put in place this afternoon is in place until midnight and, with a yellow warning from snow and ice tomorrow, we expect to continue to see challenging road conditions whilst these warning are in place. Therefore, we continue to ask people to not travel and to only do so if absolutely necessary.”

The Met Office had issued an amber warning for snow in Cumbria throughout Saturday, saying 10-15cm of snow is possible in some areas before showers begin to ease overnight.

The weather service added there was a “good chance that some rural communities could become cut off” and power cuts were likely, with the potential for other services, such as mobile phone coverage, to be affected.

National Highways national network manager Dale Hipkiss advised people to be as prepared as possible when on the roads in the wake of multiple vehicles becoming stranded in Cumbria.

He said: “Keeping a kit of essential items like a torch and warm clothes, in your vehicle, can be vital in case you and your passengers become stranded.

“Freezing conditions bring so many hazards such as snow and ice, please take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling. Keeping a kit of essential items like a torch and warm clothes, in your vehicle, can be vital.”

We’ve had no communication from any of the authorities and we’ve not seen a single gritter trying to free anyone

The Met has also issued a yellow warning for ice from midnight until 11am on Sunday in Cumbria and north Lancashire, stating that a “few snow flurries may continue into the early hours of Sunday, but the main hazard will be refreezing of any melted snow, or freezing of lying snow”.

This warning was extended into more of southwest Scotland and northern England on Saturday evening.

A yellow warning for snow across eastern parts of England expired at 7am.

Ambleside resident Harrison Ward said the snow was the heaviest he had seen during eight years of living in the Cumbrian town, adding that lots of people had abandoned their vehicles on Saturday as they “tried to find refuge”.

Mr Ward, who works as an outdoor cook, told the PA news agency: “It really feels like you’re walking through the Alps or some ski resort at the moment.”

He added: “Once a few cars have stopped or crashed or been abandoned, then it all comes to a halt.

“So we’ve seen complete gridlock through the town with lots of wheel spinning going on – there’s a real smell of burnt clutches in the air.

“Some vehicles moved about 100 metres in an hour’s time.”

One driver said they were stuck between Ambleside and Windermere for more than five hours on Saturday.

The driver, who wished to remain anonymous, told the PA news agency: “We’ve had no communication from any of the authorities and we’ve not seen a single gritter trying to free anyone.

“My wife and four-year-old had to walk two miles – there were cars driving on the wrong side of the road that caused more jams.”

The Met Office said Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland regions of Scotland were likely to see the lowest temperatures on Saturday night, with minus 12C possible in some valleys in these regions.

The weather service has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday to 12pm on Sunday covering much of the Midlands, Yorkshire, the north east and north west of England, and north and central Wales.

It said that while not everywhere will see accumulating snow, some places are likely to see 1-3cm, with 5-10cm possible over some hills and mountains in Wales, the Peak District and South Pennines.

The forecaster said there will probably be icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths, resulting in “some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces”.

It warned that some roads and railways are likely to be affected, with longer journey times by road, bus and train.

In Wales, the A470 was closed between Llechwedd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, towards the Crimea Pass due to the weather conditions on Saturday afternoon as North Wales Police told drivers to avoid the area.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning of ice from midnight until 8am on Sunday for London, the East of England, the West Midlands and parts of South Wales.

The weather service warned that areas of rain or sleet falling on frozen surfaces may lead to icy conditions and some injuries may result from slips and falls.

Glasgow Airport temporarily suspended all flights on Saturday morning, with the transport hub posting on X, formerly Twitter, at 7.24am that it was doing so because of “heavier than forecast snow”.

At 10.20am, the airport posted: “Our runway is now fully operational again and we are working with our airline partners and their handlers to resume flight schedules.”

Flights were also cancelled and delayed at London Stansted Airport because of cold weather conditions on Saturday evening.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have issued amber cold health alerts in five regions – the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber – until December 5, meaning “cold weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service for an extended period of time”.

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Traffic and Travel

The UK's most authentic farm-to-table restaurants

These eco-friendly eateries are showcasing the country’s best ingredients

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"Locally sourced." "The finest British produce." "Hyper-seasonal." Phrases like these are often seen on restaurant menus but diners struggle to know what they mean in reality. 

But the farm-to-table movement has been steadily establishing itself over recent decades and restaurants seem to have finally clocked on: touting eco-friendly credentials can mean a major boost for business. 

The arrival of the Michelin Green Star in 2022 helped cement this shift. Sure, the food itself is important but there's now another metric for measuring success. Is the restaurant pulling its weight when it comes to sustainability? 

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At its essence, farm-to-table dining is about cutting out carbon-heavy transportation costs and bringing ingredients from nearby farms directly to chefs in the kitchen. Here are five restaurants showing how it's done. 

The 'thrillingly isolated' location and superb food at Monachyle Mhor makes the boutique hotel stand out

Monachyle Mhor, Perthshire

For a "lochside lunch" assembled from the produce of a 200-acre working farm, said Rosalyn Wikeley in the London Evening Standard , make a pilgrimage to Monachyle Mhor. Situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the journey to this "blush-pink farmhouse" is well worth the effort. The boutique hotel and restaurant's "pantry" is two gleaming lochs "brimming with fish" and a series of vegetable gardens laden with wild garlic. Monachyle's "thrillingly isolated" location and superb food is a winning combination.

monachylemhor.net

Twenty Eight, Chester 

Conde Nast Traveller 's readers crowned this little family-run no-dig farm as their favourite restaurant in the UK in March. The eatery opened next door to its decade-old sibling, Chef's Table, last year and has caused quite a stir in Chester. Prices are "very reasonable", said Rick Jordan on the travel website, and the place is small enough to "experiment" with the farm produce and "have a bit of fun". It might be "laid-back" but talented young head chef Jay Tanner shows "serious intent". Dishes span everything from "tender strips" of gravlax trout cured in beetroot juice from the farm to "nostalgic" custard tarts with rhubarb compote.

restaurant28.com

L'Enclume, Cumbria

A true "pioneer of the UK's farm-to-table movement", Simon Rogan's impact on the industry is colossal, said Lela London in Forbes . The chef established Our Farm back in 2011 to supply ingredients for his Michelin-starred restaurant, L'Enclume. A second star swiftly followed and, on its 20th anniversary, the eatery was crowned with a coveted third star. Growing ingredients in cold, rainy Cumbria has its challenges and yet L'Enclume "thrives" under Rogan's watchful eye. Around 80% of the produce for his "empire" of restaurants is sourced directly from the farm. He also employs a full-time forager to comb the surrounding hedgerows and woodland for extra treasures. 

lenclume.co.uk

Wilsons, Bristol 

Found in Redland – one of the "really-quite-nice" areas of Bristol – this "intimate" bistro has just 24 covers and is the type of place you can go for a fun evening out "without being too showy", said Lilly Subbotin in The Independent . Wilsons, which received a Green Star in the 2022 Michelin Guide, has its own two-acre market garden a short drive away where it grows most of its fruit and veg. Diners are treated to a six-course set menu; each "delicate" plate of food demonstrates a "clear and definite respect" for the ingredients used. Despite being on the "somewhat pricey side", it's worth getting the matching wine to make the experience extra special.

wilsonsbristol.co.uk

The Three Horseshoes, Somerset 

Celebrated New Zealand-born chef Margot Henderson helms the kitchen at this cosy pub, which opened to much fanfare last year in Batcombe, Somerset. Her "deceptively skilled take on simple fare makes perfect sense" in this "coveted 17th-century boozer", said Susan d'Arcy in The Times . Ingredients are carefully sourced from a local network of trusted suppliers where possible; the beef and pork comes from the eco-friendly regenerative Slow Farming Company, while greens are provided by the no-dig pioneer Charles Dowding. Expect a daily-changing menu "liberally sprinkled with Henderson's greatest gastronomic hits". 

thethreehorseshoesbatcombe.co.uk

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

People are only just discovering the meaning of these London Underground station names

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The Tube is like a second home to Londoners, so it’s easy to take the quirky station names for granted.

But maybe you’ve found yourself staring at an iconic Underground station sign blankly while waiting for a delayed train, and wondered about the story behind its name?

Since the first London Tube station – Baker Street – opened more than 161 years ago, the sprawling network of 272 stations now boasts plenty of weird ones.

Some are just named after good old English pubs, and others border on mildly insulting.

Here are the stories behind 11 of London’s quirkiest stations.

1. Swiss Cottage

You’d be forgiven for thinking of cheese or the Alps when seeing this station in Camden.

But it was not named after Switzerland or any kind of fondue. Instead, the inspiration was perhaps the greatest of Great British icons: a pub.

The station sits next to a pub once called the Swiss Tavern, later renamed Ye Olde Swiss Cottage, which was built in the Swiss cabin style in 1840.

@george_olney Now the last one makes sense 😅 #london #londonunderground #tube #tubestations #viral #fyp #uk ♬ original sound – George Olney

But today, the brutalist exterior of the station entrance and surrounding buildings are a far cry from a charming cottage vibe.

2. Paddington

Paddington Underground station is regularly among the ten busiest London stations, with more than 46 million passengers in 2022. It’s also a gateway for National Rail trains heading west.

While the station is often associated with its namesake Paddington Bear, its name came before the birth of the cuddly bear in the mid-1950s.

Located in the Paddington area, historians believe the name derives from the a 10th-century Anglo-Saxon chief called Padda.

Located in Highbury in north London, the station was renamed after none other than the Arsenal Football Club in 1932.

The old name – Gillespie Road – was replaced with the football club name a few years before the start of the Second World War.

It is a nod to the club’s links to the Royal Arsenal munition factory, where its fifteen founding members worked in 1886.

Arsenal means a collection of weapons. The word was borrowed for the English language from medieval French and Italian.

4. Canary Wharf

One of the newer stations of the Tube network, Canary Wharf in the Isle of Dogs serves the Jubilee Line, Docklands Light Railway and Elizabeth Line.

It may be a new addition, but the name of the Canary Wharf docklands dates back to the late 1800s coal trade and later the shipping of bananas to and from the Canary Islands, the BBC reports.

The word ‘canary’ is derived from Old Spanish canario , meaning dogs, which became the name of the islands in the Atlantic Ocean after the Spanish conquest.

5. Elephant & Castle

This bizarrely named station in Southwark derives its name from the south London neighbourhood, which takes after a mid-1700s coaching inn.

The area could have had a pub even earlier than this, as Shakespeare’s comedy The Twelfth Night written in 1601 refers to the ‘Elephant’ in the area.

However, historian Stephen Humphrey says Shakespeare’s pub is more likely to refer to the ‘Elephant on Bankside’ tavern, which was located elsewhere.

@george_olney The last one 🤦🏼‍♂️😆 Thanks #jordannorth and @BBC Radio 1 for the inspo! #london #londonunderground #tube #tubestations #viral #fyp #uk ♬ original sound – George Olney

One suggestion is that the owners of the coaching inn may have picked the name after medieval craftsmen the Worshipful Company of Cutlers, and their crest which shows an elephant carrying a castle.

6. Cockfosters

The name of this suburban station is perfectly PC, although it might spark some giggles when you hear it for the first time.

Cockfosters area is named after the chief forester of Enfield Chase estate since at least the 16th century, who was known as the ‘cock,’ according to Hidden London .

7. West Ham

Hungry tourists are likely to think of a ham sandwich when hearing the station name, while football fans will of course think of the Premier League club.

But the story behind it is a lot less exciting. The Tube station in the London Borough of Newham simply gets its name from the area.

It used to house parts of an old Manor of Ham, derived from the word hamm meaning a dry patch of land between rivers and marshes in Old English – apt for the historical area flanked by the Rivers Lea, Thames and Roding, as well as marshes.

While the station only opened in 1870, Temple oozes history all the way to the 12th century.

Surrounding the Temple Church, the area has close links to knights and Crusades. Temple Church was a stronghold for the secretive Knights Templar military order.

The name was first recorded as Novum Templum , meaning New Temple in the 12th century.

Since the Middle Ages, Temple has been a world-renowned legal hub thanks to its many barristers’ chambers and the founding of the Inner and Middle Temple courts there.

9. Seven Sisters

No, Seven Sisters is not named after a band, although it sounds much like a 1960s musical act.

This Tottenham station is named after trees.

A circle of hornbeams located yards from the station on Page Green was planted there by a family in 1996, following a tradition that is said to go back hundreds of years, according to the Londonist .

The first recording of Seven Sister trees dates back to 1732.

Sets of seven sisters from different families kept the tradition alive by planting new trees when necessary in the following decades, it is said.

First were the seven daughters of Mr J McRae in 1852, followed by the Hibbert sisters around three decades later, who continued to maintain the trees until at least 1937, the website reports.

The Basten sisters opted for Italian poplar in 1955 after earlier trees had withered quickly, followed by the 1996 planting of hornbeams which is thought to be the latest planting.

Although modern-day Angel features an angel wing statue at the heart of the trendy area, the station name has a more secular origin.

Sorry to repeat but… it’s another pub.

The central London station was named after the former Angel Inn at the corner of Islington High Street and Pentonville Road.

The pub was established in the 17th century, according to historian Anthony Mills in his  Dictionary of London Place Names .

Most recently, the iconic Grade II listed red brick building near the Tube station housed the Co-Op Bank.

11. Goodge Street

Likely to confuse those whose mother tongue is not English, the name of this central London station is derived from the street it is located on, which in turn is named after a prominent family.

John Goodge became the owner of Crab Tree Field estate near Tottenham Court Road by marriage in 1718.

Goodge, a carpenter, married widow Anne Beresford, and he continued to develop the estate, according to British History Online .

After Goodge’s death, his two sons continued the legacy, with the family owning the building title until the 19th century.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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• Corporate information
• Nuclear Decommissioning Authority vacancies

Head of Regional Affairs (permanent role, flexible location, and £70,550 - £83,000) – closing date 21 June 2024

Updated 10 June 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nuclear-decommissioning-authority-vacancies/head-of-regional-affairs-permanent-role-flexible-location-and-70550-83000-closing-date-21-june-2024

0.1 Head of Regional Affairs (permanent role, flexible location, and £70,550 - £83,000) – closing date 21 June 2024

Role title: Head of Regional Affairs

Salary range: £70,550 - £83,000

Function:   Corporate Affairs

Role level range:   8-9

Role type:   Permanent

Base location:   Flexible – Herdus House, West Cumbria, Hinton House, Warrington; Central London or Harwell, Oxfordshire. Hybrid working available with 40% of time in an NDA office

Reports to:   Director of Shareholder and Stakeholder Relations

Closing date:   21 June 2024

Public and stakeholder engagement is critical to the success of the NDA mission; and the Shareholder and Stakeholder Relations team strategically manage the national and regional stakeholder landscape on behalf of the NDA Group.

We have a vacancy for a regional affairs lead to join our collaborative, high-performing team. This senior position, suited to someone with extensive experience of government and public affairs, will play a pivotal role in informing and shaping the regional stakeholder landscape for the NDA group and develop / manage our handling on new nuclear matters.

You will lead on the strategic coordination of regional affairs, working closely with local communities and regional bodies including stakeholder forums, Constituency MPs, Local Government, industry, and regulators to build and maintain support for our decommissioning mission.

You will work closely with the site stakeholder groups (SSGs) – leading direct engagement with those located in England and coordinating with others across the estate including those who cover the Devolved regions and Cumbria, to build a comprehensive picture of insight and issues across the breadth of the regional landscape.

You will sensitively manage the changing landscape to implement recommendations from the current SSG review and prepare for the future transition of AGR stations and draw on best practice from inside and outside the industry, including internationally.

With high levels of diplomacy and outstanding interpersonal skills, you will recognise the sensitivities of working in the public sector and be able to foster strong and meaningful relationships across a complex stakeholder landscape. You will also have proven solid communications skills and broad political engagement experience.

Understanding the regional perspective on new nuclear will be particularly important to inform the national picture and support the UK Government’s ambitions on energy security which may utilise NDA land.

You will lead on all new build interactions across the estate, which will require close cooperation with stakeholders as well as interaction with the Exec and Board. You will act as the key interface with UK Government on new nuclear matters and provide insight into existing and emerging Government policy which impacts on the NDA’s work. The postholder will also manage and further develop the strategic relationship with Great British Nuclear (GBN).

Accountabilities:

• Build NDA regional political intelligence and act as an advocate for the NDA’s mission across a number of regional forums and networks.
• Extend and improve existing regional political relationships ensuring we connect at the right level to influence regional dialogue and activity, and successfully manage any changes in the political landscape.
• Maximise opportunities to optimise the regional environment in which the business operates by identifying common themes, building strong relationships with related regional sector organisations and liaising with subject matter experts to target interventions.
• Monitor and interpret the distinct, varied regional environments/landscapes and connections to the national picture and keep senior leaders, including our Chair, CEO and Board abreast of developments to support them in their roles.
• Provide leadership on all new build interactions across the estate working closely with stakeholders to inform and develop a coordinated NDA position that is supported by the Exec and Board.
• Manage relationships with UK Government on new nuclear matters and deliver on commitments such as publication of a land prospectus as well as further develop the strategic relationship between NDA and GBN including establishment of an MoU.
• Build good working relationships with colleagues across the estate including Operating Companies to exchange a regular flow of intel and inform a comprehensive understanding of regional affairs activity and postures on new nuclear.
• Prepare briefings to assist site visits, meetings, dinners, speechwriting etc.

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

• Significant professional experience in central or local Government and/or public affairs coupled with a good understanding of the public sector landscape.
• Proven capability to influence and manage a wide range of stakeholders at regional and national level preferably in complex, highly political environments.
• Excellent communicator with an ability to develop and maintain an extensive network of contacts and relate to diverse stakeholder concerns.
• Credibility in the field and industry with senior stakeholders including an ability to work with high-profile figures including MPs and Ministers.
• Experience of policy development and implementation.
• Strong drive, ability to constructively challenge and at the same time develop collaborative solutions to issues and opportunities.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification.

What we offer

• Generous performance based annual bonus scheme.
• Defined benefit Civil Service pension scheme (please find more information here).
• 30 days annual leave per year, plus 8 statutory public and bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time employees).
• A range of family-friendly flexible working options.

To apply: Please complete and send the Equal Opportunity Form accompanied by your CV and covering letter to [email protected]

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