Message from David Morton, Councillor for Belah & Kingmoor Ward
Update from Councillor David Morton
The months have rolled by since the last edition of LHRA Newsletter and we all have varying degrees of concern about the state the country is in due to the Covid-19 pandemic. By all accounts we are relatively lucky on Lowry Hill, although there have been a few instances of the disease in the locality, some requiring hospitalisation. Depressing though it is it is still necessary for us all to take the greatest of care in everything we do, especially outdoors; please take care. During the summer there was a fantastic “best garden” competition with a variety of categories. There were some fabulous displays across the estate and congratulations to those who were lucky to judged as best in class. In addition to thanks or those who took part, appreciation is due to those charged with organising and adjudicating. Well done.
I am reluctant to mention yet again the issue of overgrown hedgerows and blocked pavements in all areas of the estate, but I have been asked to reiterate the fact that overgrown hedgerows, as well as being untidy, are a danger to pedestrians on the street footpaths, and just as important in the myriad of cuts throughout Lowry Hill. Perhaps we should have a competition for the neatest and the untidiest hedges in Lowry Hill to encourage some responsibility for the safety of our all pedestrians. It is actually an offence to obstruct the highway, and an overgrown hedgerow impeding the free passage of pedestrians is an offence. Imagine the distress that may be caused if a pedestrian inadvertently walked into an overgrown hedge that was your responsibility, resulting in the loss of an eye or other distressing facial injury. If you were the owner of the hedge you may find yourself the subject of prosecution or civil litigation.
Please can I ask anyone with a hedge that falls into the offending category, to take steps to improve the comfort of pedestrians by getting the offending foliage trimmed back so as to avoid totally un-necessary obstructions? During the coming months I am hoping to work with LHRA committee to identify those properties with overgrown hedges and trees. Thereafter a friendly letter may be sent out with appropriate advice. If all else fails, and as a last resort, it may be that the county council highways department will have to be involved to undertake remedial work, and for which there is likely to be a cost that will have to be borne by the property owner. Let’s all be good neighbours.
Quite rightly, there has been a furore in recent days about the lack of provision of meal vouchers for needy children during school holidays. At the time of writing, Carlisle City Council has made available £19,500 for use by council members to help in appropriate cases. I will be allocating (or by the time you read this I will have) my share of the monies to the two schools on Lowry Hill after consultation with the head teachers.
Christmas is getting closer and hopefully by then there will have been some respite in the current crisis that is gripping our communities. Traditionally, the festive period, as well as being an important religious festival, is a period when families look forward to long awaited reunions. Ann joins me in wishing you a peaceful Christmas with loved ones, and with the hope that we can all look forward to a better 2021 than 2020 has been.
David Morton
City Councillor for Belah & Kingmoor Ward
Dates for Your Diary during April & May 2025
Santa came to Lowry Hill on Christmas Eve!! He started at 4.30pm at the entrance to Naworth Drive and drove round Lowry Hill Road entertaining literally hundreds of children, his elves collecting donations for local charities as he went. Thanks are due to The Rotary Club of Carlisle for organising this event.
Lowry Hill Plant Swap - 26th May 2024 All residents were encouraged to grow and pot flowers, shrubs and vegetables and bring them to "The Owl" an open space behind the Kingmoor Infants' School on Sunday 26th May. On the day the organisers were pleasantly surprised with the number of plants brought along by residents. At the end of the day people were encouraged to take plants even though they had not brought any to exchange. Such was the success that it is expected that the event will be repeated in 2025.
Dates for Your Diary during April & May 2024
Ho! Ho! Ho! Boys and Girls, Mums and Dads, Santa is coming to Lowry Hill on Christmas Eve!! He is starting at 4.30pm at the entrance to Naworth Drive. There is a collection for local charities. Click here for a flyer listing the approximate timings of Santa's journey around the estate.
