The latest news and events from Storth from our correspondent Digby Singleton.

The parish council continues to operate remotely via monthly Zoom meetings, which have now become the norm.

Members have adapted well to the new arrangements and parish business is being effectively dealt with.

Members of the public may join these meetings if they wish (contact the Clerk, Mr J R Scargill, on 01524-782811 for details).

The new outdoor seat at Sandside promenade is now installed and has been well received. However, problems with recreational anglers remain, with more complaints about their occasional unwillingness to move fishing tackle when passing walkers wish to use the footway and are sometimes forced into the busy road. Signs on the footway, pointing out the right of unimpeded access for pedestrians, have been suggested and agreed in principle.

These should appear in 2021.

Resurfacing work on Park Road (Milnthorpe), Guard Hill Lane, Keasdale Road and Storth Road has now been completed.

Parish council noticeboards are looking good after refurbishment. The volunteer-run Community shop in Storth Square is once more back in business after extensive improvement work to the interior and continues to provide a brilliant facility for the village.

More volunteers are always needed – please contact anyone at the shop if you think you could help.

Excessive traffic speeds on the A6 through Beetham and along the B5282 have long been a serious hazard.

After a recent petition to CCC by Beetham residents and a presentation by the head teacher of Beetham School, there seems to be hope of a future reduction in the official speed limit from 50mph to 40mph along the critical section of the A6.

The parish council supports this move and is involved in keeping the problem in the mind of the responsible authorities by the use of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) at strategic points on both the A6and the B5282, to deter speeding motorists and record traffic speeds.

Hopefully, and with the financial support of local businesses, a parish council-owned SID could soon be acquired to back up the borrowed SID currently in use.

Speeding along the B5282 at Carr Bank is of particular concern as regards the safety of school pupils waiting at the bus shelter for transport into Milnthorpe.

This was the scene of a serious accident a few years ago and a similar accident could easily recur. Despite bringing this to the attention of the school, the bus company and the responsible local authority no reasonable practical solution has yet been found.

An issue which concerns us all is the proposal to create a single unitary authority for Cumbria, to replace the various existing smaller authorities such as South Lakeland District Council (SLDC).

An alternative proposal, to create a new local authority comprising SLDC, Barrow Town Council and Lancaster City Council, is to be considered by the Secretary of State. Either alternative would include increased devolution of decision making from central to local government, which is known to be a current central government policy.