Retired councillor wants money spent on road to sellafield

That is according to Keith Little who retired from Cumbria County Council after 10 years of being responsible for highways and transport.

He said the road serves Sellafield and Barrow with its military industry. He welcomed word of a £16 million development around Moresby but hoped that more would follow.

Keith Little’s portfolio made him the frontman and spokesman for any transport issues including highways,buses and trains.

He was a member of the Transport for the North Group which takes in the area from Hull, across the whole North West and the North East.

He said rail passenger numbers are increasing due to petrol costs but his disappointment is that not enough has been invested in Cumbria, and especially in the West Coast line.

“The rail system here is Edwardian. There are some improvements due but it always come down to mone. A £43 or £5million project becomes £25 million as costs rise.”

His job has been difficult at times. When Storm Desmond hit, for instance,it was he who he who was able to get Government ministers up here to see the damage - a visit that earned the county £120 million in recovery money.

Keith said he has served the county in one capacity or another since 1974,

“I was with the Cumbria Fire Service until I retired in 2000 and joined the county council in 2003. “

A resident of Flimby, near Maryport, he had already been a town councillor and mayor before joining the county.

After all those years of public service, he said he had found retirement a little difficult.

“If someone had contacted me before, I would have known who to ring to get an answer to whatever was being asked. I won’t do that now so i do feel some of the frustration the public feels when they want a problem solved.

With three children, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, he is finding plenty to occupy him.

“I walk our dog and our daughter’s. I am on hand for any maintenance jobs and we often look after the great grandchildren,” he said.