Paper Reference(s)

6476/01
Edexcel GCE
Geography B
Advanced
Unit 6: Synoptic Assessment
Issues Analysis – Cumbria
ADVANCE INFORMATION
To be issued to candidates on Friday 2 May 2008
Do not write anything in this booklet. This must be
taken into the examination on Wednesday 18 June
2008 in the morning.
RESOURCE BOOKLET
Items included in this pack
Resource Booklet

Instructions to Candidates
Work through the booklet to make sure you understand all the resources. You may seek help from
your teachers or any other sources in this context. In the examination you will have to apply your
critical understanding in an unfamiliar situation.
Whilst you may wish to do some background research on the internet on Cumbria in order to
understand the resources, you will be assessed only on your critical understanding of the resources
provided in this booklet.

Information for Candidates

This booklet must be taken into the examination, which is on the morning of Wednesday 18 June 2008.
Do NOT write anything in this booklet. Further copies of this booklet may be downloaded from the
Edexcel website.
Notes may NOT be taken into the examination.

Advice to Candidates
In this synoptic exercise you will be assessed on your ability to synthesise knowledge, understanding
and skills derived from your Advanced GCE Geography course.
You will also be assessed on the quality of written communication shown throughout your report.

Printer’s Log. No.

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This publication may be reproduced only in accordance with Edexcel Limited copyright policy. ©2008 Edexcel Limited.
 List of Resources
Figure Page

Figure 1(a) Map of Cumbria 3

Figure 1(b) Administrative areas in Cumbria 3
Figure 2(a) Land use in Cumbria 4
Figure 2(b) Average densities of derelict/vacant land and buildings 4
Figure 3 Socio-economic indicators 5
Figure 4 Population/housing trends in western Cumbria compared to other areas
of the county 6
Figure 5(a) Industrial indicators 7
Figure 5(b) Skills and employment opportunities 8
Figure 6 Development strategy for western Cumbria 9
Figure 7 Sellafield and UK energy trends 10
Figure 8(a) The future UK energy picture 11
Figure 8(b) The UK’s current and likely future energy sources 12
Figure 9(a) Allerdale – Images 13
Figure 9(b) Proposed improvement plan for Allerdale 14
Figure 10 Opinions of local stakeholders 15–16

You may wish to visit the following websites as part of your initial assessment of the Cumbria
region:

www.visitcumbria.com
www.western-lakedistrict.co.uk
www.westlakesrenaissance.co.uk
www.cumbria-investment.co.uk

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Figure 1(a) Map of Cumbria

0 10 km Improvement/widening to
M6 junction 40 in 2006

Improvements to the A590,

Silloth including a bypass for High
and Low Newton, to reduce

Riv
congestion at key pinch points

er
Ed
59 and improve traffic flow on the

en
route between the M6 and
Workington Barrow-in-Furness
59

Key:
26
National Park AONB
69 M6 motorway Settlements

A & B roads

60 Travel time to the nearest M6 junction

(minutes)

Port Sellafield site

Airport Drigg repository site

52 Wind energy development

Proposed wind energy development site

(Source: www.visitcumbria.com/mapindex.htm)

Figure 1(b) Administrative areas in Cumbria

Districts in Cumbria:
Copeland
0 10 km
South Lakeland

Eden

Barrow-in-Furness

Allerdale

Carlisle

Lake District National Park

West Lakes Renaissance Area

(existing special economic
development area)

Western Cumbria

Settlements

M6

A Roads

(Source: Allerdale Borough Council

Corporate Improvement Plan 2006–2011)

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 Figure 2(a) Land use in Cumbria
Allerdale There is a wide range of manufacturing
in the local towns covering chemicals to beds, and
film packaging to seafood processing. The rapidly
developing service sector is highlighted by the
recently opened DEFRA British Cattle Movement
Service with its Call Centre operation. The A66
provides good access to the M6 motorway.
Copeland The National Park covers much of
the area and tourism is a major service industry.
Manufacturing and energy industries are the major
employers, e.g. BNFL at Sellafield is a world leader
in nuclear reprocessing. The Westlakes Science &
Technology Park is a key centre for knowledge-
based and science-based businesses. The town of
Whitehaven provides the hub of the district and is
being restored to its Georgian splendour.
Barrow-in-Furness is Cumbria’s second largest
town, is at the heart of the UK shipbuilding industry
at BAE Systems and is a major port, particularly
for the natural gas and other off-shore industries.
Local skills have established Barrow as a growing
centre for marine, electrical and other high added
value industries.
Figure 2(b) Average densities of derelict/vacant land and buildings
0 10 km
(Source: Reclaim the North West – Final report of the North West Land Reclamation Review Steering Group, 2001)
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Carlisle is the principal administrative
centre for the county. Carlisle has developed
as an important regional centre with a
0 10 km variety of manufacturing and service-based
industries. It is on the West Coast Main
Line and the M6/A69 junction.
Carlisle Eden is the largest district but has the
smallest population and is situated
between the Pennines and the Lake District.
The principal town, Penrith, is located
next to the M6 motorway, and the West
Coast main line. The main employer is
Allerdale
agriculture and related services. Tourism
is important to the local economy and
the new Oasis Holiday Village to the east
Eden
of Penrith now employs more than 700
people. The new Northern Regional Office
of the Environment Agency is also in
Penrith.
Copeland
South Lakeland includes parts of the
S. Lakeland Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National
Parks. The M6 motorway and West Coast
Main Line run through the area, providing
easy access to the rest of the UK. South
Lakeland offers a wide diversity of industry
and commerce, including manufacturing,
Less sparse rural town financial services and tourism. Kendal
Less sparse rural village is the largest town in the area. Within
Less sparse rural dispersed the region are the tourist centres of
Sparse rural town Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and the
Sparse rural village market town of Ulverston, a major location
Sparse rural dispersed of the pharmaceutical company Glaxo-
Urban area SmithKline.
(Source: Census 2001, Access to rural services report)
Less than 0.08 per 25 hectares
0.08 – 0.15 per 25 hectares
0.16 – 0.32 per 25 hectares
National Park (no dereliction)
4
Figure 3 Socio-economic indicators

Income: 0 10 km Multiple Deprivation Index (IMD):

Median Income (£s) IMD overall score
29 100 to 34 000 High 45.7 to 83.8
26 600 to 29 099 29.5 to 45.6
24 000 to 26 599 19.1 to 29.4
21 200 to 23 999 12.2 to 19.0
Low 2 to 12.1
15 300 to 21 199

(Source: Examining affordability of houses in Cumbria (Source: Rural health and healthcare, Institute for Health
using street value and paycheck, Research Lancaster University, 2004)
Cumbria County Council, 2005)

Rural inequality: Access to services:

% of households living 4+ km from a primary school
% of rural households on income
<60% of median 50 to 53
25 to 49
< 15%
5 to 24
15 - 19%
20 - 24% under 5
25 - 29% Carlisle 0
> 29%
Urban

Penrith
Keswick

Kendal

Lancaster

(Source: State of the countryside, The Countryside Agency, (Source: Rural health and healthcare, Institute for Health
2002) Research Lancaster University, 2004)

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 Figure 4 Population/housing trends in western Cumbria compared to other areas of the
county
Cumbria Allerdale
Allerdale population change 1995-2005
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64

Age group
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
1-4
Under 1

-40.0% -30.0% -20.0% -10.0% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0%

Percentage change since 1995

(Source: The Economy of Cumbria,

Centre for Regional Economic Development, 2005)

Population Number of
% population % population Projected %
density 2004 parishes in % owner
Area change change change
(people per sq Lake District occupation
1991–2001 2002–2005 2006–2028
km) National Park
Allerdale* 77 - 3.3 + 3.0 + 2.7 6 69.1
Barrow* 904 - 2.3 - 2.6 - 10.8 0 76.2
Copeland* 100 - 3.7 + 3.1 + 0.1 5 70.2
Carlisle 96 - 1.1 + 4.4 + 7.2 0 67.5
Eden 24 + 8.2 + 6.1 + 14.2 7 73.2
South Lakeland 67 + 3.4 + 0.6 + 3.5 15 75.2
Cumbria 72 + 0.3 + 0.8 + 0.3 33 71.8
North West 480 - 1.7 + 0.4 + 4.4 n/a 72.0
*These districts form western Cumbria
(Source: Census 2001; Key Statistics + Cumbria Economic Bulletin, March 2005 + Cumbria Economic Assessment 2004)

House price trend data Affordability of housing

(average price £): Percentage (%) Carlisle:
47 to 63 1995 46 797
Maryport: 22.7 to 46 2000 56 618
9.6 to 22.6
1995 34 039 2006 129 424
4.4 to 9.5
2000 38 432 0 to 4.3
2006 109 964
Keswick:
1995 85 601
Cockermouth: 2000 114 018
1995 61 152 2006 291 936
2000 87 921
2006 175 394
Kendal:
1995 62 302
Workington: 2000 75 672
1995 42 085 2006 183 845
2000 52 636
2006 112 002
National average / Cumbria:
1995 64 695
Barrow: 2000 108 080 / 75 813
1995 35 497 2006 198 571 / 153 404
2000 40 153
2006 98 508
0 10 km

(Source: Examining Affordability of Houses in Cumbria using StreetValue and Paycheck, Cumbria County Council, 2005)

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Figure 5(a) Industrial indicators

Cumbria is a county in economic decline and one of only four sub-regions in the EU which are in
absolute decline. In western Cumbria the situation is even worse. The county is still going through a
process of de-industrialisation and job losses will continue, particularly with the nuclear industry being
the largest single employer.

Unemployment rates %
South
Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Copeland Eden Cumbria
Lakeland
Male 3.1 4.3 3.1 4.0 0.8 1.1 2.8
Female 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.6 0.4 0.5 1.0
Total 2.2 2.8 2.2 2.9 0.6 0.8 1.9

Period out of work (% of total unemployed)

South
Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Copeland Eden Cumbria
Lakeland
Under 6 months 71.3 72.2 75.1 69.1 85.3 82.6 73.0
6 months to 1 year 19.6 17.5 16.0 16.0 11.8 12.0 16.7
1-2 years 6.7 8.1 5.9 10.7 2.9 4.3 7.5
Over 2 years 2.5 2.1 3.0 4.1 0.0 1.1 2.8

Employment (number of employees)

South
Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Copeland Eden Cumbria
Lakeland
Agriculture/Fishing 569 47 492 365 875 798 3 146
Energy/Water 218 280 182 110 256 222 1 268
Manufacturing
(including electricity 6 898 5 773 8 766 9 854 2 863 5 920 40 074
generation)
Construction 1 683 744 2 393 1 503 1 437 1 838 9 597
Distribution/Hotels/
10 683 6 513 15 295 5 468 8 540 17 674 64 173
Restaurants
Transport/
1 217 1 204 3 994 692 1 244 1 558 9 909
Communications
Banking/Finance/
3 227 1 872 5 634 3 682 1 993 4 494 20 901
Insurance
Public Admin 7 754 7 577 12 986 6 602 5 045 10 523 50 487
Other Services 1 865 1 076 2 629 1 326 896 2 648 10 441
(Source: Cumbrian Business Plan)
Size of employer (% of employees)
South
Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Copeland Eden Cumbria
Lakeland
1-10 employees 32.0 18.4 20.8 21.4 33.1 32.0 26.0
11-49 employees 29.5 26.6 28.5 21.9 34.7 32.8 29.1
50-199 employees 20.3 15.4 24.6 13.1 20.5 21.5 20.0
200 + employees 18.2 39.6 26.1 43.6 11.7 13.7 24.9
Total percentages 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Numbers (%) of self employed

South
Allerdale Barrow Carlisle Copeland Eden Cumbria
Lakeland
6 602 2 652 6 006 3 242 6 152 10 291
34 945
(18.9%) (7.6%) (17.2%) (9.3%) (17.6%) (29.4%)
(Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk)

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Figure 5(b) Skills and employment opportunities

New business start-ups per 10 000 Job availability:

working age population: This is the ratio of
total jobs to working
age population

0 10 km
0 10 km
Cumbria = 0.86

England
and Wales = 0.83

worse better

0.7 – 0.79 0.8 – 0.89 0.9 – 0.99 1.0 – 1.04

(Source: www.nomisweb.co.uk, 2004)

(Source: State of North West Economy –
Long term forecast, 2006)

Skills base:
(NB. Level 1 is Basic Skills; Level 2 is NVQ2/GCSE; Level 3 is NVQ3/A Level/National Diploma;
Level 4+ are usually Higher Education qualifications)

% people aged 17-74 with each level of qualification

35 England and Wales
Cumbria
30
Allerdale
25
Percentage

20

15

10

0
qualifications/level
No qualifications

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4/5

unknown
Other

Qualification levels

(Source: Census 2001)

M26020A 8
Figure 6 Development strategy for western Cumbria
The development strategy for western Cumbria is to:
Renew the economy of western Cumbria through the co-ordinated delivery of infrastructure, new skills and
sustainable communities.
To achieve this, the following priorities have been identified:
• Industrial transition – Responding to competitive pressures in the global market by: preparing
infrastructure, sites and other opportunities for new industries and businesses; reshaping the economy of
western Cumbria; and reducing dependency on older industries
• Nuclear opportunities – Maximising new opportunities from nuclear decommissioning and the Nuclear
Decommissioning Agency (NDA) locating to western Cumbria; diversification; the preparation of any
available sites; and co-ordinating promotion of these new opportunities
• Culture and creativity – Developing the tourism and cultural offer, supporting new cultural industries
and festivals, boosting the profile of the area and its tourism appeal
• Housing renewal – Upgrading and revitalising run down housing for which there is little demand,
re-using sites for higher quality housing and improving the housing environment, yet at the same time
maintaining sufficient affordable housing
• Connectivity – Making better use of the ports, seeking improvements to the road infrastructure, supporting
the local rail network, improving links by air and enhancing the broadband initiative
• Energy – To promote and develop the environmental goods and services market, alongside growth in
wind energy industries
• Enterprise support and networking – Helping to develop an enterprise culture and strengthen existing
business support through the enterprise agencies and other local networks
• Sustainable communities – Meeting the diverse needs of existing and future communities in ways that
contribute to a high quality of life, but are sensitive to environmental requirements, are safe and inclusive,
are well planned, built and run and offer equality of opportunity
• Knowledge and education – Helping to build and extend the skills base in western Cumbria, spanning
the range from basic employability to more advanced skills and knowledge. This will include the
development of a university for Cumbria
• Coastal renaissance – Using the assets of the Cumbrian coast, (natural and built environment), more
effectively and sustainably for the communities that live and work there; promoting the area for tourism
and investment.

A wind farm on the west Cumbrian coast Redevelopment of Workington town centre

Whitehaven harbour West Lakes Science Park

(Source: West Lakes Renaissance Business Plan 2006/07 and West Cumbria Strategic Forum Project Brief, 2006)

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 Figure 7 Sellafield and UK energy trends
Key facts about Sellafield Distribution of employees at the Windscale site, within Sellafield:
• The Calder Hall Magnox nuclear power station
operated between 1956 and 2003. Dismantling
it is well advanced and will continue until 2030.
Waste items are transported to the Low Level Waste
Repository site at Drigg 16 kilometres away for
storage.
• The main hazards (i.e. fuel and isotopes) on site
should be removed by 2015. After that date, work
will depend on the development of a national
repository for intermediate level waste.
• An advanced gas-cooled reactor operated on the
separately licensed Windscale site, within Sellafield,
until 1981. Decommissioning is expected to continue
until 2015 when it will be restored to a brownfield 0 10 km
site.
• The Sellafield site also contains reprocessing and Number of employees
by postal district
waste management operations. 0 to 1
• The site at Drigg, which currently takes low level 2 to 4
waste, will be full by 2050. However, staff here have 5 to 10

the expertise to develop the much larger disposal 11 to 20

Windscale site
capacity that will be required to cope with the
longer term challenge of dealing with waste from
Examples of the impact of Sellafield on the local community
the nuclear industry and decommissioning.
• 91% of UKAEA Windscale staff live within the wards of
Allerdale and Copeland.
• As a percentage of total employment 45% of employed people
in Egremont work for BNFL; 51% in Cleator Moor, 30% in
Whitehaven, 19% in Cockermouth and 10% in Workington.
• Sponsorship totalling £105K per year (05/06) is available to
local community groups.
• Employees volunteer help to various environmental and
community projects.
• The local community is updated on developments via briefings
and a local stakeholder group.
Sellafield (Source: Socio-Economic Development Plan 2005/06,
West Cumbria Strategic Forum and UKAEA website)

Decommissioning of UK nuclear power stations:

Dounreay Generating capacity (MW)
<500

500-999

1000-1250
Estimated employment at the Sellafield site:
Hunterston Anticipated closure date
B Torness
Date Employment Shut down
A
2006 12 100 Chapelcross
2005-2008
2012 10 000 2008-2015
Hartlepool
2014 6 800 Calder Hall 2015-2025

2020 4 200 2025-2040

Heysham
Wylfa
(Source: The Energy Challenge,
Trawsfynydd
Energy Review Report, July 2006) Sizewell A
B

Berkeley Bradwell
Hinkley Point Oldbury
A Dungeness A
B B

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 Figure 8(a) The future UK energy picture
UK electricity generation:
450
400
350
300
Pumped storage
(TWh)

250
Imports
200
Renewable
150 Nuclear
100 Gas
50 Oil
Coal
0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

UK gas imports:
100

80

60
%
Other imports
40
World-wide Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports
Norwegian imports
20
Europe imports
0 UK Production
2005 2020

Goals of future energy policy: Total lifetime releases of carbon from different technologies:

• to put ourselves on a path to cut the UK’s Technology (2005-2010) GC/kWh* Equivalent to GCO2/kWh**
carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by about Lignite 228 836
Coal 206 755
2050, with real progress by 2020 Natural Gas 105 365
• to maintain the reliability of energy supplies Biomass 8-17 29-62
• to promote competitive markets in the UK Wind 3-10 11-37
and beyond, helping to raise the rate of Nuclear 3-6 11-22
sustainable economic growth and to improve *Grams of carbon per kilowatt hour of electricity produced
our productivity **Grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour of electricity produced
• to ensure that every home is adequately and
affordably heated
• to aim for renewables to supply 10% of UK Long term projected CO2 emissions (based on no further government
electricity in 2010, subject to the costs being action):
acceptable to the consumer.
MtC = Million tonnes of carbon

Total
% %
CO2 % %
Residential Transport
emissions Industry Services
sector sector
(MtC)
2000 143.5 26.3 27.9 31.8 14.0
2030 151.4 27.3 27.5 30.9 14.3
2060 162.6 29.3 25.0 31.1 14.6

(Source: The Energy Challenge, Energy Review Report, July 2006)

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Figure 8(b) The UK’s current and likely future energy sources
Energy Current*
Pros
source %
Gas Reliable, cleaner than coal and has
lower CO2 emissions. Very cheap
in the 1990s, reliance on it grew
40
fast. UK has North Sea reserves.
Coal Well established, cheap, reliable.
UK has large reserves. Prices are
rising, but slower than for gas
33
and oil. Emissions of SO2 (which
causes acid rain) have declined
rapidly over last 20 years.
Nuclear Minimal CO2 emissions after
construction. Efficient, effective
and reliable. Not as vulnerable to
20 fuel price fluctuations as oil and
gas.
Hydro No CO2 emissions, no
vulnerability to fuel price or
political instability. Very cheap
>2
once dam has been built.
Landfill gas Landfill sites give off methane,
a greenhouse gas 20 times more
1.2 potent than CO2, and burning it
reduces its contribution to climate
change.
Oil Reliable technology, well
established.
1.2
Biofuels Energy crops considered
carbon neutral because carbon
released when crops are burned
0.6 is balanced by carbon absorbed
from atmosphere during growth.
Suitable crops could be grown in
UK.
Wind Renewable, not vulnerable to fuel
price fluctuations. Some say UK
0.5 has best wind resources in Europe.
Turbines are emissions free and
quick to build.
Solar Free and renewable energy source.
Can generate electricity from
>0.1 photovoltaic cells, be used to heat
water directly, or be maximised by
good building design.
Wave and tidal Renewable, parts of UK have
strong potential.
>0.5
*Based on Department of Trade and Industry 2004/2005 figures. Exact proportions change seasonally.
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Cons
CO2 emissions are significant.
Domestic reserves are running out
so growing dependence on imports
means increasing vulnerability to
rising prices and instability in gas-
producing regions.
High emissions of CO2 and SO2
remain a concern. Economically
viable UK coal will run out in 10-
15 years and is already expensive
to mine. Half the coal used in the
UK is imported.
Cost of building and
decommissioning reactors,
problem of nuclear waste and
concerns about safety. Planning
and building a power station takes
at least 10 years so will not help
meet Kyoto targets.
Natural flow hydro is reliant on
rainfall and vulnerable to drought.
Pump storage hydro relies on
off-peak electricity to pump water
back uphill. Environmental and
social impact of large dams.
Burning methane still releases
carbon dioxide and also nitrogen
oxide gases.
Inefficient generation, price
instability, dependence on
politically unstable regions, CO2
emissions.
Space required to grow crops,
impact on landscape. Release of
greenhouse gases in harvesting
and transport of crops. Particulates
and hydrocarbons given off during
combustion.
Local opposition and concerns
about noise and impact on
landscape. More expensive than
fossil fuels. Wind levels fluctuate.
UK sunshine is unreliable and
limited. Solar power is confined to
daylight hours unless photovoltaic
cells are used to store power in
batteries.
Development costs, potential
environmental changes in tidal
basins.
12
Outlook
Reliance on gas expected to
continue, with imports set to
increase. Trade Secretary says UK
now a net importer of gas.
Government says coal has
“important part to play” and plans
to invest in cleaner technologies and
carbon capture. New EU pollution
rules will force plants to either
upgrade or close.
Currently all but one of UK’s
nuclear power stations will be
phased out by 2023. Public debate
on new build expected to continue.
Much of UK’s hydropower potential
already exploited. Large-scale future
development unlikely, but use of
small-scale systems may increase.
Already in use, but future supplies of
landfill gas will be limited if waste
reduction policies are effective.
By 2010 UK will be a net importer
of oil. Oil makes a small and
declining contribution to electricity
generation in UK, but is an
important vehicle fuel.
A few facilities burning biofuels
such as waste wood products and
straw are already operating. Energy
crops could be grown in UK, but
some will not be cost effective
unless yields improve.
Fastest growing renewable in the
UK. Heavy government backing,
seen as key to target of 20%
renewable electricity by 2020. Costs
are falling.
Capacity small but developing.
Government estimates solar could be
economically competitive by 2020-
30. Cheaper if integral to design of
new buildings.
Wave power 10 years behind wind
power in development terms. Tidal
power in UK at research stage.
Large-scale investment needed for
ocean power to make significant
contribution to UK energy.
Figure 9(a) Allerdale – Images
Redeveloped Maryport Harbour

Typical housing stock in central Maryport or Workington Derwent Valley Regeneration Area, Workington
The Tesco store to
the right of the site is
likely to be
upgraded. The
central stadium used
for playing rugby is
to be replaced in any
redevelopment plans.
The area adjacent to
the River Derwent is
liable to flooding.

Workington Moorclose industrial estate is bottom right Cockermouth

(what remains of the steel works is centre left)

Closed steel works site in Workington Ennerdale in western Lake District

Derwent Forest site, including old MoD (Ministry of Defence) buildings in the foreground

M26020A 13 Turn over

Figure 9(b) Proposed improvement plan for Allerdale

North Allerdale Market

Solway Coast Discovery Centre, Silloth
Headquarters of the Solway Coast Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty team and one
of Allerdale’s newest tourist attractions.
Maryport Harbour
Creating an attractive, sustainable, vibrant
and successful harbour area in Maryport for
local people and visitors. Plans to include
leisure facilities and aims to develop
Maryport as a quality residential and tourist
attraction.
Towns Initiative
Supporting a range of
economic projects to revitalise
Wigton, Silloth, Aspatria and
their rural hinterlands, to
address rural decline and
deprivation as a result of
industrial changes. e.g. Wigton
Townscape project and built
environment projects in Silloth.
Derwent Forest
A 450 hectare former Ministry of
Defence armaments depot at Broughton
Moor will house major mixed use
development within the setting of unique
natural habitats. Plans include the
clearance and redevelopment of a large
part of the brownfield site to improve
tourism and recreation facilities.

Port of Workington Cockermouth Market Towns Initiative

Plans to ensure the commercial Supporting a range of economic projects
port is successful and supports to revitalise Cockermouth and surround-
the local economy. There have ing rural areas, such as the Cockermouth
been discussions on cruise facelift and pedestrianisation scheme,
liners using this location as a the Market Place conservation area and
stopping off point for visitors to the development of a craft centre which
the area/UK. will act as a catalyst for investment.

Derwent Valley Regeneration Workington town centre

Area
Aims to regenerate this
28 hectare site and to develop
as a sporting centre for
excellence. Plans include
community leisure facilities,
new stadium, all weather pitch
open space, outdoor perfor-
mance area and certain retail
outlets.
Keswick Market Towns Initiative
A thriving, quality shopping
Supporting a range of economic projects
experience, fully open in late
to revitalise Keswick and its surrounding
2006 as a result of a
rural areas, such as a commercial facelift
£70 million redevelopment
scheme and the Keswick Business
scheme. Scheme also included
Improvement District Scheme with
a multi-storey car park.
business start-up assistance. Keswick
townscape improvements include
refurbishment, improved signage and
street furniture.

Derwent Howe, Workington

Initiatives to reclaim and
revitalise the former steelworks
site and further enhance
opportunities for business
development and inward
investment.

(Source: adapted from Allerdale Borough Council Corporate Improvement Plan 2006–2011)

M26020A 14
Figure 10 Opinions of local stakeholders

Decommissioning of the nuclear industry poses major questions for the future, but also offers potential
opportunities. The decommissioning of the Sellafield site is planned to take place over a long time period
which should minimise the impact of any job losses. However, staffing at the site will be significantly
reduced between 2012 and 2016, as the initial phase of decommissioning is complete. The only way
to keep such an experienced workforce in the area is to develop the reprocessing side of the nuclear
industry at Drigg or elsewhere. Sellafield representative

The regeneration of the town’s harbour and environmental improvements to the main street have made
a real difference to the whole town. However, this area is not like South Lakeland or Eden that benefit
from wealthier retired people who are moving into the area for lifestyle reasons. Maryport has its fair
share of problems. Many of the houses and facilities badly need upgrading but residents just don’t
have the money to do it. If only we could have a decent supermarket here too. On the other hand, the
area is starting to benefit from the ripple effect from the Lake District National Park; house prices
in Maryport have increased dramatically within the last 5 years, much faster than the North West or
national picture. Rebecca Dennsion, Maryport resident

Two key problems in Allerdale are a low skills base and deprivation and we really need to do something
about both if we stand any chance of attracting inward investment to the area. Three areas in Allerdale
are in the worst 10% of the national picture of multiple deprivation. Barrow is even worse with 6 out
of the 13 wards being in this category. The recent designation of a new University for Cumbria and
extended nuclear training facilities should help with the education aspect, whilst a recent £20 million
investment from the North West Development Agency has extended broadband cover to the whole of
Cumbria. This network will also enable the University of Cumbria to deliver courses at several sites at
once and in more remote parts of the county. Allerdale Council member

Any alternative energy developments are welcomed but wind farm developers need to take into account
the biodiversity issues, particularly with regards to birds. The Solway Firth and Morecambe Bay are
noted as important areas for birds. Much of the improved grassland in the north and west of Cumbria
is particularly important for certain grazing wildfowl. Also, we must be careful where we place such
developments, as turbines placed along coastal areas are likely to have a high impact on the number of
birds killed by strikes as there are many migratory routes through these areas.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Tourism has to be the main opportunity for western Cumbria due to our location on the edge of the Lake
District National Park and as we have a range of attractions (such as Wordsworth’s house), facilities and
events. Cockermouth is a popular base for walkers with an increasing number of restaurants, shops and
hotels. Indeed 2.7 million tourists visited last year generating around £195 million of spend in the local
economy and providing up to 4000 local jobs. A recent marketing campaign encouraging people to buy
local produce has also been very successful.
Cumbria Tourism representative based in Cockermouth

Getting around is a real problem in Cumbria and this is not helped by the area’s landscape. It takes me
over 2 hours to get from Workington to my hospital specialist appointment in Lancaster. Transport is not
the only problem that residents in the town have. Although the old industries of coal, iron and steel have
largely gone, a large proportion of people are still employed in manufacturing industries. The recent
regeneration of Workington town centre should certainly help to attract further investment to the town.
However, the closure of the rail-making plant in the town in 2006 gave serious challenges to replace
those jobs and to re-use the site. Mike Bowden, Workington resident

M26020A 15 Turn over

A key problem is that Cumbria’s economy is made up of a large number of small companies; 83 per cent
of firms employ less than 10 people and there are a very small number of large companies employing
more than 250 people such as BNFL at Sellafield and BAE systems at Barrow. This means an increasing
vulnerability to political and commercial decisions in highly sensitive product areas, but also to job
losses due to technical change and competition from lower cost overseas locations.
Rajendra Shaw, Barrow-in-Furness Chamber of Commerce

As the owner of a business in Workington I often find it difficult to recruit trainees with the right
skills. Agriculture and tourism are two of Cumbria’s major employers, but many workers in these areas
don’t see the need to gain appropriate qualifications. Applicants are often weaker in information and
communications technology (ICT) skills and interpersonal and management skills. This means extra
costs for me in training and this is a cost I can’t really afford. However wage levels are currently lower
in this part of the country which helps a little.
David Owen, small business owner, Workington

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