Cumbria’s Districts
A Story of Place
Allerdale
Background
Allerdale sits in north west Cumbria. The district covers a geographical area of 1,242 km2 and spans
the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, northern parts of the Lake District National
Park, including the tourist centre of Keswick, and the West Coast urban centres of Workington and
Maryport. Other towns in the district include Cockermouth, Wigton, Aspatria and Silloth. Despite
having notable urban centres, Allerdale is predominantly rural in nature. Access to some rural areas is
poor and towns can experience disadvantage in attracting investment due to remoteness and poor
transport links. However, there have been recent improvements to the A595 and links to the M6
northwards may be improved by the Northern Relief Road at Carlisle.
The main town in the borough, Workington, is an ancient market and industrial town at the mouth of
the River Derwent. Some parts of the town north of the River Derwent date back to Roman times. It
was in the 18th century, with the exploitation of the local iron ore and coal pits, that Workington
expanded to become a major industrial town and port. Iron and steel manufacture have always been
part of Workington's heritage, and it was here that the famous Henry Bessemer first introduced his
revolutionary steel making process. In recent years, with the decline of the steel industry and coal
mining, the town has diversified into other forms of industry.
With a population of 94,100 people, Allerdale is the third most populated district in Cumbria. While
the district’s population total has remained relatively stable in recent years, +0.6% since 2001, the age
profile is becoming older; since 2001 the number of residents aged 0-15 years has fallen by 7.5%,
while the number of residents aged over 65 years has increased by 13%. 4.3% of Allerdale’s
population are from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, this proportion is just below the county
average.
Contemporary Issues
Educational attainment and household incomes in Allerdale are generally comparable with county
averages, while levels of unemployment are below the national average. However, there are some
areas of the district that experience high levels of deprivation. In these deprived areas unemployment
is high, while household incomes and educational attainment are low. Furthermore, the average
proportion of residents with high level qualifications is comparatively low.
When combined, public services jobs account for the greatest proportion of employment in Allerdale
(28.6%). Tourism also plays a key role in the district’s economy; with jobs in wholesale & retail and
accommodation & food service activities accounting for 27% of employment. Jobs within
manufacturing account for a further 15.9% of Allerdale’s employment. However, employment within
the tourism and manufacturing sectors has fallen in over the last three years and jobs within the
public sector are vulnerable to current changes in the economy.
The severe flooding that occurred in November 2009 presented a significant challenge to businesses
operating in Allerdale. Nonetheless, although the rate of new firm formation has been relatively low
in the district, encouragingly, business survival rates for 2010 were well above the national average.
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The district has a considerable amount of available commercial and industrial land. However, although
there are high quality sites available, there is an oversupply of poor quality units. A significant amount
of the existing housing stock is also of low quality. Though the average house price to household
income ratio for Allerdale is just below the county average, in some of the district’s rural wards this
affordability ratio is very high.
While overall levels of crime in Allerdale have fallen by 5% over the past year, rates remain higher
than the Cumbrian average and incidents of businesses crime and rates of domestic violence are on
the rise, as are the number of people killed or seriously injured on Allerdale’s roads. While crime and
disorder in Allerdale is most prevalent in deprived areas, there have also been high numbers of
incidents in certain forms of crime within popular tourist centres, especially Keswick.
Although average life expectancy in Allerdale is very close to the county average, there is significant
variation between wards, with the lowest life expectancies tending to be found in the most deprived
wards. The district is rated highest in Cumbria for years of life lost from suicide and also has
significant issues around alcohol misuse; with Allerdale having the forth highest rate of under 18s
admitted into hospital with alcohol specific conditions in England.
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Barrow
Background
Barrow-in-Furness is in the South West corner of the county. The district is dominated by the town
of Barrow; the second largest settlement in Cumbria. Barrow has a distinctive urban form arising
from its industrial heritage. The district also has historic tourism assets, and an attractive coast and
rural area. At 78 km2, Barrow-in-Furness covers the smallest geographical area of any district in
Cumbria. With a population of 70,700 it is also the most densely populated district in the county.
Barrow-in-Furness is a large industrial town which grew from a tiny 19th Century hamlet to the
biggest iron and steel centre in the world, and a major ship-building force, in just 40 years. The
railway was introduced to carry iron-ore, slate and lime-stone to the new deep water port. Its
prosperity grew with the development of the steel and ship-building industries. The monks of Furness
Abbey smelted iron with wood in the 13th Century. In 1839 H.W. Schneider (who later had a home
at Bowness-on-Windermere and commuted to Barrow via steam yacht and rail) came as a young
speculator and dealer in iron. In 1850 he discovered large deposits of iron, and he erected blast
furnaces at Barrow, which by 1876 formed the largest steelworks in the world. The population grew
from 300 inhabitants to over 8000 in 1864. James Ramsden, superintendent of the Railway, devised a
plan for the town. There are few planned towns in England, and fewer still in the 19th Century. The
wide tree lined streets to this day convey a sense of space and ease. Ramsden became the first Mayor
of Barrow. Ramsden also conceived the idea of the Barrow Shipbuilding Company, which became
Vickers in 1897. It is now the busiest shipyard in England, with the largest covered ship building hall in
Europe. By 1881 the population had jumped to 47000, reaching a peak of 74000 in 1931, but has
dropped now.
Barrow-in-Furness is the only district in Cumbria where the population is in decline. Since 2001 the
population has fallen by 1.8%. The district’s population is also ageing. Since 2001 there has been a
10.1% rise in the number of residents aged over 65 years and a 15.3% decline in residents aged 0-14
years; the greatest fall in the county for this age range. The district has the second lowest proportion
of residents from black and minority ethnic groups in Cumbria (4.1%).
Contemporary Issues
In some parts of the district levels of educational attainment are high and skills levels in the district’s
working population compare well with county averages. However, levels of educational attainment for
the district as a whole are below average and recent surveys indicate skills gaps in high level
occupations. Furthermore, levels of worklessness and deprivation are amongst the highest nationally,
with particular concentrations of deprivation found in town centre wards.
Employment in the district grew in the period 2003-2008 and rates of new business formation
compare well with Cumbria’s averages. The district hosts several large industrial employers including
BAe Systems. The town is increasingly dependent upon BAe Systems and submarine manufacture,
with the shipyard having expanded its workforce to 5,200. However, several major industrial
employers have recently announced redundancies. The district also experienced growth in the service
sector up to 2008. Some of this growth involved public sector services, while tourism numbers and
spend have also been increasing; although this increase is from a relatively low base.
Barrow-in-Furness has a self-contained housing market and there is sufficient supply of housing.
However, around half of the stock of housing pre-dates 1919 and some is in very poor condition.
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Although the district has a substantial supply of available employment land, despite recent
improvements, transport links are disadvantageous.
While overall levels of crime are falling in the district, Barrow-in-Furness still has the second highest
rate of crime overall in Cumbria and levels of burglary at a dwelling, theft from a motor vehicle, theft
of a motor vehicle and domestic violence are on the rise. Rates of alcohol specific mortality and
hospital admissions attributable to alcohol are also rising and the district is in the bottom 10%
nationally for these indicators. Barrow also has the highest rate of anti social behaviour, burglary at a
dwelling, criminal damage and domestic violence in the county. There is a clear correlation between
levels of crime and levels of overall deprivation, with Central ward having the greatest number of
crime incidents in the district and the highest overall deprivation score of all wards in Cumbria.
Average life expectancy in Barrow is only marginally lower than county and national averages.
However, the district is rated lowest in the county for healthy life expectancy and healthy eating
adults, and highest the county for health and disability deprivation, smoking prevalence and drug
misuse. As with the wards where crime and disorder is prevalent, the wards with the lowest life
expectancies in the district tend to be characterised by high levels of deprivation.
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Carlisle
Background
Carlisle is the largest urban centre in Cumbria and the principal settlement in the largely rural district
of Carlisle. A Royal Charter that granted City status to the medieval borough of Carlisle in 1158 now
applies to the whole of Carlisle District, which at 100 square km makes it the largest City in area in
the Country. Other key settlements include the towns of Brampton, and Longtown on the Scottish
border, formerly the site of one of the largest armaments factories in the world. Carlisle is a city with
a long and turbulent history; the site of frequent cross border conflict between England and Scotland.
Such turbulence began from its earliest days as a Roman city, throughout the Middle Ages and into
the 17th and 18th centuries. The industrial revolution made Carlisle the principal centre of the
northern English cotton industry outside Lancashire. The city was also a centre of railway
communication for the far north of England
With a population of 104,500 persons, the district of Carlisle is home to the largest number of
residents in Cumbria. Of Cumbria’s six districts, Carlisle also has the greatest proportion working age
residents and the second greatest proportion of residents from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
groups.
Contemporary Issues
While average levels educational standards are comparable with the average for the NW region and
average levels of unemployment are relatively low across the district, there are geographical
concentrations across some of Carlisle’s urban wards where levels of educational achievement are
low and levels of worklessness are high. Although the University of Cumbria attracts students to
Carlisle, high level qualifications are still less prevalent and average earnings are relatively low.
Carlisle has an attractive urban core for shopping and leisure activities and an historic quarter. The
district’s rural areas contain outstanding natural landscapes, attractive market towns and dispersed
settlements. On the whole, Carlisle has good road and rail communications. However, east-west
routes across the county need further improvement, a “southern link” is needed to mirror the access
benefits offered by the Carlisle Northern Development Route, and some rural settlements
experience poor access to services.
There has been significant growth in the number of dwellings in Carlisle in recent years and the
district has a plentiful supply of employment land. However, the district has a residual amount of
housing stock in the private sector that is of poor quality and there are some gaps in supply of land in
terms of geography, quality and product type.
Up to 2008, Carlisle experienced growth in employment in public services, business services,
transport and construction. However, these sectors are now very vulnerable to current changes in
the economy. Furthermore, recent trends indicate a fall in employment in retailing and wholesale
activities. The district has many urban and rural tourism assets and visitor numbers/levels of spend
have grown since 2001; although this growth has not been as high as in other areas of Cumbria and
employment in hotels and restaurants has been fairly static. While the rate of new business starts is
relatively low in Carlisle, businesses the district show higher survival rates compared to UK averages.
While overall levels of crime in Carlisle remain high compared to the county as a whole, they have
fallen by 4.3% across the district over the last year. However, despite this overall fall, levels of drug
crime and domestic violence have risen, as have numbers people killed or seriously injured on the
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district’s roads and numbers of people admitted to hospital with alcohol related conditions. Carlisle
also has the highest rate of fire incidents per 1000 people in the county, with Botcherby ward
experiencing the greatest number of deliberate fires of all wards in Cumbria.
Average life expectancy in Carlisle is only marginally lower than county and national averages.
However, there is significant variation in life expectancy across Carlisle’s wards, and the district is
rated highest in the county in terms of low birth weight babies and years of life lost to cancer. As with
the wards where crime and disorder is prevalent, the wards with the lowest life expectancies in the
district tend to be deprived areas characterised by high levels of unemployment and child poverty.
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Copeland
History
Copeland sits in the west of the county. The district covers a geographical area of 732 km2 and spans
56 miles of coastline, it is predominantly rural in nature; with two thirds of land mass within the Lake
District National Park. The administrative centre of Copeland is the harbour town of Whitehaven.
Other towns are Egremont, Cleator Moor and Millom. Due to their remoteness and poor transport
links, these towns experience disadvantage in attracting investment. Access to some of the district’s
rural areas is also poor. However, there have been recent improvements to the A595 and links
northwards may be improved by the Northern Relief Road at Carlisle.
Whitehaven is a Georgian town and was one of the first post-renaissance planned towns in the
country. Built on shipping and mining, both industries have now declined, but Whitehaven is neverthe-less an attractive town and is one of the 40 Gem Towns in England (the only other in Cumbria
being Cockermouth). The development of Whitehaven owes much to the Lowther family, it was Sir
John Lowther, inspired by Christopher Wren's designs for rebuilding London after the Great Fire of
1666, who laid out the original grid system of streets and specified the type of houses to be built.
Many historians believe that New York’s street system is inspired by Whitehaven’s grid system.
With a population of 69,500 people, Copeland is the second least populated district in Cumbria.
While the district’s population total has remained relatively stable in recent years, +0.4% since 2001,
the age profile is becoming older; since 2001 the number of residents aged 0-15 years has fallen by
13.1%, the second greatest decrease in the county, while the number of residents aged over 65 years
has increased by 15.2%, the second highest rise in the county. 3.7% of Copeland’s population are from
Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, this proportion is the lowest of any district in the county.
Contemporary Issues
Educational attainment in Copeland is generally comparable with the county average and levels of
unemployment are just below the national average. However, some areas of the district experience
high levels of deprivation and unemployment, and very low levels of educational attainment.
Furthermore, the average proportion of residents with high level qualifications is comparatively low.
The nuclear industry has generated employment growth in Copeland over the last decade. While the
district has derived considerable economic benefit from this, it is now very dependent on the sector
for well-paid employment. In recent years Copeland has also experienced an increase in employment
in hotels and restaurants, which has partially compensated for a fall in employment in retail and
wholesale activities. Public service jobs account for 23% of total employment in the district. Up to
2008, employment in this sector remained fairly stable. However, the sector is now vulnerable to
current changes in the economy.
Although the rate of new firm formation has been relatively low in Copeland and the 2009 floods
created difficulties for many businesses, business survival rates have been well above average. The
district has a considerable amount of available commercial and industrial land. However, while there
are high quality sites available, there is an oversupply of poor quality units. A significant amount of the
existing housing stock is also of low quality.
Copeland is the only district in Cumbria where overall levels of crime are rising; +4.4% in the past
year. However, not all crimes are rising; while numbers of incidents of criminal damage, offences
against the person, crimes against businesses and domestic violence have risen, levels of anti social
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behaviour, burglary, drug crime, theft from motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicles and deliberate fires
have fallen. Copeland has also seen the greatest decline in Cumbria for the number of people killed
and seriously injured on the roads.
While average life expectancy in Copeland is only one year below the county average, it is the lowest
of all districts in Cumbria. The district is also rated highest for years of life lost to circulatory disease
and excess winter deaths. There is significant variation in life expectancy between wards and, as with
the wards where crime and disorder is prevalent, the wards with the lowest life expectancies tend to
be deprived areas found in the north of the district.
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Eden
History
Eden sits in the East of the county. The administrative centre of the district is the market town of
Penrith. Eden contains a number of other historic market towns including Kirkby Stephen, Applebyin-Westmorland and Alston. Eden is predominantly rural in nature and has a rich and varied natural
landscape which includes sections of the Lake District National Park, the Eden Valley and the
moorlands that make up the North Pennines; an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Penrith has a long and rich history, being the capital of Cumbria in the 9th and 10th centuries when
Cumbria was a semi-independent state which, until 1070 AD formed part of the Kingdom of Scotland
and Strathclyde. Today only the castle ruins remain as a reminder to the town’s former glory. Penrith
was a rural market centre with a small industrial sector of domestic or small-scale textile production.
The town was granted a market charter in 1223 by Henry III. In 1854 the Board of Health leased the
market rights until they were eventually bought outright in 1878. Traditionally farmers brought their
produce into Penrith on a horse and cart, the need for stabling explains the many alleyways that lead
from the front of inns to the stables behind. Today these alleyways are very much in use and lead to a
variety of courtyard spaces.
With a geographical area of 2,142 km2, Eden is Cumbria’s largest district in terms of land mass.
However, with a population of 51,800 people, Eden is the least populated district in Cumbria.
Therefore, Eden also has the lowest population density in the county by far; just 24 people per km2.
While Eden has good north-south road and rail links, given the rural nature of the district with its
sparse population, many communities experience disadvantages in accessing services.
Over the last decade Eden’s population has been increasing faster than any other district in Cumbria,
having grown by 3.9% since 2001. Eden’s population is also ageing, since 2001 the district has
experienced the greatest increase in residents aged over 65 years in the county (+20.4%). 4.8% of
Eden’s population are from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, this proportion is very similar to
the county average.
Contemporary Issues
Educational attainment in Eden is high and the working age population is well qualified. In addition,
unemployment and overall levels deprivation are low. However, workplace earnings in the district are
below the national average. Partly influenced by the number of family-run farms in the area, the rate
of self-employment in the district is well above average. The proportion of people working for small
businesses is also high, as is the level of part-time employment; perhaps reflecting a lack of full-time
employment opportunities.
Tourism and recreation are significant and growing economic activities in Eden. The district also has
many important industrial employers. However, employment in the industrial sector has declined
considerably since 2003. While Eden experiences high rates of new firm formation, the rate of
business closure in the district is above average; indicating high levels of churn.
High residential desirability and tourism generates a very high demand for housing in Eden. However,
this demand for housing distorts local housing markets and reduces the affordability of housing for
residents on average earnings. It has also been identified that there is a considerable shortage of
employment land ready for use in the district.
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Eden is a very safe place to live. The district has the lowest overall levels of crime in Cumbria and is
the third least deprived district in terms of crime in England. What's more, levels of crime fell by 6.8%
last year; the most significant fall in the county. However, regardless of this overall decline, levels of
drug crime and domestic violence are on the rise.
Average life expectancy in Eden is the highest in Cumbria. The district is also rated lowest in the
county in relation to years of life lost to cancer and circulatory disease and hospital admissions for
alcohol attributable conditions. However, Eden has a slightly higher than average proportion of
working age residents with a disability and there is significant variation across the district’s wards in
life expectancy. Eden also has the highest rate of people killed and seriously injured on the roads
within Cumbria and these numbers are rising.
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South Lakeland
History
South Lakeland sits in the South East of Cumbria. The district contains some of the UK’s finest natural
environments; including some of the most well-known tourism areas of the Lake District National
Park and parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Kendal is the largest town and administrative
centre of South Lakeland. With a geographical area of 1,534 km2 and a population of 103,700, South
Lakeland is the second largest and second most populated district in the county. While the district
has good north-south road and rail links, given its rural nature, many communities experience
disadvantages in accessing services.
Kendal, the largest town in the district, was also the largest town in the County of Westmorland
(though not the capital which was Appleby), before it became part of Cumbria. It was a one of the
country's main manufacturing towns from the 14th Century until the 19th Century, with many mills
on the River Kent.
Over the last decade, South Lakeland’s population has increased by 1.3%; very close to the county
average. The district’s population is also ageing; since 2001 South Lakeland has experienced a 14.9%
increase in residents aged over 65 years, a 1% decrease in working age residents (15-64 years) and a
7.6% decrease in residents aged 0-14 years. Furthermore, of Cumbria’s six districts, South Lakeland
has the highest proportion of residents aged over 65 years; perhaps reflecting the district’s desirability
as a place to retire. 6.3% of South Lakeland’s population are from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
groups, this is the highest proportion for any district in Cumbria.
Contemporary Issues
Educational attainment in South Lakeland is high and the working age population is well qualified. In
addition, unemployment and overall levels deprivation are low. However, workplace earnings in the
district are below the national average. Partly influenced by the number of family-run farms in the
area, the rate of self-employment in the district is well above average. The proportion of people
working for small businesses is also high, as is the level of part-time employment; perhaps reflecting a
lack of full-time employment opportunities.
Tourism and recreation are significant and growing economic activities in South Lakeland. The district
also has many important industrial employers. However, employment in the industrial sector has
declined considerably since 2003. While South Lakeland experiences high rates of new firm formation,
the rate of business closure in the district is above average; indicating high levels of churn.
High residential desirability and tourism generates a very high demand for housing in South Lakeland.
However, this demand for housing distorts local housing markets and reduces the affordability of
housing for residents on average earnings. It has also been identified that there is a considerable
shortage of employment land ready for use in the district.
South Lakeland is a very safe place to live. The district has the second lowest crime rate in Cumbria
and is the seventh least deprived district in England in terms of crime. What’s more, in the past year
crime in South Lakeland has fallen by 6.1%, the second largest decline in the county. The district has
the lowest rates of anti social behaviour, burglary from dwellings and theft of a motor vehicle in the
county and has experienced the greatest decline in the number of deliberate fires. However, despite
declining levels of crime overall, levels of drug crime, hate crime and domestic violence are on the
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rise in South Lakeland, as are hospital admissions for alcohol attributable conditions. The district also
has the joint highest rate of people killed and seriously injured on the roads within Cumbria.
South Lakeland has the second highest average life expectancy in Cumbria, and the highest average
‘healthy life expectancy’. The district is also rated best in the county for healthy eating adults and has
the lowest prevalence of smoking and drug misuse. However, South Lakeland has the highest
proportion of working age residents with a disability and there is significant variation across the
district’s wards in life expectancy and levels of crime.
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