AMBLESIDE Parish Centre received two special accolades this week.

The High Sheriff of Cumbria, Julie Barton, honoured it with a Special Recognition Award for an outstanding contribution to the community during the difficult circumstances brought about by Covid19.

The citation read: “Together you have provided support communications, reassurance and lots of assistance to local people, especially the vulnerable.

Your active service has made such a positive difference to the lives of many local people.”

Thanking all those involved, Centre Manager Caroline Gunning said: “This recognition is a real testament to the way the community has come together, rapidly finding practical solutions to support businesses and individuals alike.

The dedication and commitment of over 100 volunteers has enabled us to provide a range of support throughout the community.”

The Centre and its volunteers also received a congratulatory letter from Claire Hensman, Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, praising it for “providing outstanding support for vulnerable people, the Centre is setting a wonderful example”.

Centre staff attended the Lord Lieutenant’s reception in February as runners-up for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, for which they had been shortlisted.

SERVICES set up by businesses and other organisations for those self-isolating or shielding remain in place, for the latest details email oppc.apc@gmail.com Hot lunch deliveries will continue until July 17, email admin@amblesidepc.org.uk

TRAFFIC reduction through Ambleside during lockdown resulted in such marked improvements in air quality, peace and quiet and an upsurge in wildlife that local environmentalists are calling on the authorities to preserve these positive changes permanently.

The transport group of Ambleside Action For a Future (AAFAF) has written to the Government, MP Tim Farron, the Lake District National Park, Cumbria County Council, SLDC and DEFRA asking them to implement traffic reductions in normal times and introduce incentives for people to leave their cars behind by setting up a new integrated sustainable transport system.

This would include affordable public transport, protected cycle routes, public electric charging points, traffic calming and pedestrian-only zones, with the cost of them met through a levy on traffic driving in the national park. AAFAF’s vision is that by 2025 a significant number of visitors will arrive either by train, or other public transport and sustainable means, while motorists would leave cars at gateway car parks.

LDNP would manage a comprehensive integrated transport system linking trains, buses, minibuses, boats and cycles, and private vehicles would be increasingly electric or using sustainable fuels.

Cars would pay an eco-levy to drive in the Lake District, with exceptions for residents and essential vehicles, and some roads would be closed to cars at certain times.

The centre of Ambleside would be pedestrianised, with 20mph limits through the town and a sustainable transport hub by the bus stops in King Street.

The hub would offer bike/trike hire, with taxis, plus frequent buses and minibuses to local villages and tourist attractions, to make the cost of public transport for a family less than driving.

Ambleside would have protected cycle lanes and/or multi-user paths linking to surrounding villages and beauty spots, making cycling, walking, wheelchair use safe and attractive for visitors and residents.

A car club enabling drivers to book an electric vehicle would also reduce the need for residents to own a car or visitors to bring one. AAFAF’s transport group want to open a dialogue with the Park and local councils and are calling on other local groups and communities to join their new sustainable vision.

Transport group co-ordinator Steve Lenartowicz said the letter had already received 40 positive responses, to join it email aactionfaf@gmail.com.