Opening of Barrow New Police Station

The new Barrow Police Station on Andrews Way off Phoenix Road will become the operational policing base and front counter facilities from Saturday 10^th October.

The state-of-the-art facility has been built maximising the latest technology such as sustainable low energy development providing high levels of thermal comfort within a small range of temperatures.

The new Barrow Police Station will host the following;

• 230 officers, 20 PCSOs and 40 police staff
• Integrated custody facilities including 18 cells
• Front Desk open to the public 7 days a week
• The new facilities cost £8.6million to construct

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said “I am delighted that the new Police Station in Barrow will be operational and the front counter facilities to the public from the 10^th October. 

“The state-of-the-art facilities are a real boost to policing services in Barrow and will support officers and PCSO's in providing frontline policing to the community.

“I am pleased that during the building stage that local businesses have benefited from the significant investment and that we now have a building that is future proofed to meet the needs of the local community and the changing nature of policing.” 

Cumbria Constabulary, Chief Constable Jerry Graham said “The new station is very impressive and the Constabulary is very much looking forward to moving in and operating from there. 

“The fantastic new facilities will provide officers and staff with a base which is fit for purpose and will further enhance the service we provide to the public.” 

Superintendent Rob O’Connor said “We are excited to start working from the new station, and begin using the state of the art facilities. From Saturday, the front desk will be open to the public seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. A  Police Desk will also be available at The Forum, Duke Street,  Barrow on a weekday basis from 10am to 1pm.

“Ulverston will continue to receive a prompt and efficient police response, and there will be a community base in Ulverston, which will be used by community officers and PCSOs, at the Ulverston Business Centre on New Market Street. There will also be a Police Desk from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 1pm, at Coronation Hall Box Office, where members of the public can speak to police staff about any concerns or queries.” 

David Atkinson, Managing Director, Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd. said “As a Cumbrian company Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd. are proud to have constructed the new Barrow police station delivering a quality building of iconic design. The completed development is a credit to the many local organisations involved in the project.” 

The building has made use of the following:

• Solar shading
• Passive ventilation
• Thermal mass heating
• Combined heat and power
• Photovoltaic cells for electricity generation
• Low maintenance
• Use of renewable and natural materials
• Light weight steel roof
• Landscaping of site to include parking, road access, perimeter lighting, CCTV, soft landscaping together with staff social areas.

Lost Journeys of the Furness Railway with Signal Films

It’s time to join The Big Knit for Age UK

Calling all knitters!

It’s time to join The Big Knit for Age UK

Age UK Barrow and District is calling on nimble-fingered knitters in Barrow to get creative and knit little hats for Age UK and Innocent’s Big Knit and help older people keep warm and well in winter.

Now in its 12^th year, The Big Knit returns and budding knitters across the UK are being called upon to knit miniature woolly hats to adorn Innocent smoothie bottles, which will be sold in stores nationwide from February 2016. For each be-hatted smoothie sold, Innocent will donate 25p to help Age UK fund national and local winter projects. Age UK Barrow and District is calling on local knitters to get as many hats as possible to them  and needs knitters and those wanting to give it a go to help make this a reality.

Each winter, one older person dies needlessly every eight minutes because of the cold[i]. With over a decade of support from knitters up and down the country, The Big Knit has raised vital funds to support local and national winter projects to help older people keep warm and well in winter.

Last year alone, more than 800,000 hats were lovingly created, with designs including a bird cage, fruit, soldiers, peas in a pod, a bees’ nest, a crown and fishermen with their catch.

For more information on The Big Knit contact Age UK Barrow and District on

01229 831425 or send completed hats to Age UK Barrow and District at Lakeland House, Abbey Rd, Barrow LA14 1XL

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Funding for community projects in Barrow

One day to go before Pearl Izumi Tour Series comes to Barrow

Excitement is building ahead of the arrival of the BAE Systems Barrow round five of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series on Friday 29 May. The high-adrenaline bike race will transform the town as some of the world’s top professional cyclists battle it out on a street circuit. The free event takes place at 7.30pm and will be preceded by a series of community cycling displays and races. Cllr David Southward, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member responsible for economic development, said: “The Tour Series is back. Those who missed out last year can come and see what the fuss is about. The thousands who came can come again to soak up the atmosphere and see the spectacle of Barrow town centre turned into a professional cycling circuit, with a riot of logos, banners and lycra transforming the town’s streets into a kaleidoscope of colours. Last year people who have lived in the town all their lives said they’d never seen anything like it before. Don’t miss out this time!” The event has been brought to the town by Cumbria County Council, alongside main sponsor BAE Systems. Barrow Borough Council is helping to co-ordinate the event, alongside volunteer stewards from Barrow Rotary, Furness Rotary, Furness Peninsula Rotary, Submariners’ Association, BAE Systems, and other local volunteers. The event is also being stewarded by Barrow Rugby and Football Clubs. Barrow Borough Council’s spokesperson for sport, Councillor Tony Callister, said: "Once again Barrow has been chosen to host an important leg of the Pearl Izumi road race series and with that, brings huge excitement for the residents of Barrow and the surrounding area. During the day, a junior run and equity projects will take place with a further build up with top amateur club riders competing prior to the elite riders challenging for the honours of winning the BAE Systems Barrow leg of the Pearl Izumi national race tour. The influx of travelling fans and locals turning out to watch the professional cycle teams is fantastic for the area. It’s also an opportunity to highlight the beauty of our area. Here's to another brilliant race day." Information for visitors: Road closures on 29 May: 0700 First road closures come into force: Duke St (closed from Ramsden Square roundabout to Schneider Square roundabout) and Market St, Lawson Road and Cornwallis Street all closed to all traffic. Traffic arriving at Ramsden Square roundabout from Duke St will be diverted left up Abbey Road. 1300 Hindpool road closed (closed from John Whinnerah Roundabout next to Tesco to junction with Cornwallis St – access to retail parks including Tesco and Homebase will not be affected). Abbey Road closed from John Whinnerah Roundabout to Ramsden Square roundabout. No access on Abbey Rd southbound beyond the junction with Dalkeith St. All roads will be reopened by 23:59. Parking: Visitors should follow the yellow Tour Series parking signs from the A590. They will direct you to Barrow Borough Council's Dalton Road, Cavendish Street and Scott Street car parks, where the parking charge has been reduced to a single payment of £3 for all day parking after 12 noon. In addition to these 3 car parks there are also 3 other town centre car parks (Whittaker Street, Fell Street and Emlyn Street) which will be operating as usual, offering in access of 500 spaces. Due to the various road closures the multi-storey car park above Portland Walk can be accessed from Slater Street, which will be a two way street for the day of the race.  Information about car parking can be found on the Barrow Borough Council webpage - http://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/transport-streets/parking/car-parks/ Bus information: There will be no services in both directions from the Police station /Mall stops all the way down to Coronation Gardens/ Dalton Road.  There will also be no service to Tesco stop on Hindpool Road. There will be no temporary stops put out. Services will use stops which are already in use. -Services 2 to West Shore, 3 To Newbarns, 4 to Tesco/Asda (Tesco stop on Cornmill Crossing), 5 to North Scale and 7 to Ireleth and Millom will all use the stop outside the Old Alfred Barrow School. Services 3 to Ormsgill and 4 to Holbeck will use the stop opposite the old Alfred Barrow School near ther Albion Pub. Services 1 to Walney and 6 from Ulverston will use the bus shelter on Michaelson Road opposite the Job Centre. Services 1 to Furness General Hospital and the 6/X6 to Ulverston, Kendal and Windermere will use the shelter on Michaelson Road outside the Job Centre. Services 1, 3 and 6/X6 Will be diverted along Rawlinson Street and Greengate Street.  There will be no stops on the diversion. Schedule of events: 1300 Promo zone opens in Cornwallis Street 14:00 – 14:30 Barrow sports partnership: (Disabled children from Barrow and Ulverston special schools taking part in bicycle skills workshop and demonstration) 14:30 – 15:00 Youth running event  (Circuit running race organised by local running club Walney Wind Cheetahs. Under 11s and 11-16s). 15:00 - British Cycling Sky Ride (opportunity to ride the circuit) 15:30 – 16:00 30 minute window to let vehicles in and out of the circuit area 16:15 – 17:00 Furness Future Flyers Race - The first British Cycling Go-Ride cycling club in South Lakes plus other young racers (under 16s) from the region will be competing on the full race circuit. 17.10 – 18:00 Adult amateur race Lakes Road Club adult amateur race - 3rd & 4th category amateur cyclists compete in a race on the full race circuit for approximately 45 minutes. 18:15: Podium prize giving for amateur races 18:30 Riders Warming up on Circuit and Signing on the podium 19:30 Pearl Izumi Tour Series Round Six Start of Race 20:45 Race Finish 21:00 Podium Ceremony and Presentations 21:15 Event finishes and clear-up begins

FREE Alcohol Brief Intervention Training in Barrow

'Heritage Open Days' 2014 in Barrow

Barrow Borough Council is supporting Heritage Open Days 2014 as activities take place all over England to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the Heritage Open Days Programme.

There will be a free tour of Barrow Town Hall at 10.30 am on Thursday, 11^th September. Knowledgeable Town Hall Guides will take you on a tour of the magnificent civic reception rooms in this splendid Victorian Building designed by W H Lynn in modern gothic style, built of local red sandstone and opened in 1887. (NB there is no access to clock tower) There is no need to book in advance. 

Councillor Helen Wall, Spokesperson for Wildlife, Heritage and Culture commented “Barrow has a fascinating history and I get really excited about events which help people - including me - find out more about it. I hope Heritage Open Days tell us more of our local story and get a lot more people interested in it.”

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.

Every year on four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors. It is a once-a-year chance to discover architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.

So much to see and do - free of charge and right on people’s doorstep, Heritage Open Days is an event for everyone, whatever their background, age and ability. From castles to city halls, tunnels to tower tops, police cells to private homes, workshops to woodland walks, the variety of places and ways to discover them are endless.

Full details of Heritage Open Days activities across the country including local events are listed at www.heritageopendays.org.uk 

Age Works with Age UK Barrow

Age UK Barrow - volunteers wanted