£50,000 secured for Flimby play park as residents help shape £20 million investment plan

Flimby is set to see major improvements after Josh MacAlister MP and Cllr Bill Pegram secured £50,000 from Cumberland Council to upgrade the village play park next year – a first step in a decade-long programme of investment for the community.

The funding follows determined campaigning by local young people Kaelan and Ethan, who gathered more than 500 signatures on a petition calling for improvements to the play park. Their efforts were praised during a well-attended community meeting hosted by Josh in Flimby, where residents discussed their priorities for the £20 million Pride in Place programme. Secured by Josh and Markus Campbell-Savours MP, this is a ten year investment pot which will support Flimby, the Ewanrigg and Ellenborough neighbourhoods of Maryport, and Broughton Moor. 

Residents put forward a wide range of ideas, including:

• Improving accessibility at Flimby train station

• Upgrading local footpaths and bridleways

• Investment in the church and improvements to the churchyard

• Funding to support the carnival and other community events

• Better facilities and activities for young people

• All-weather sports facilities

• Further investment in a larger, improved play park

Josh emphasised that although Markus Campbell-Savours MP will be the lead MP for the programme in this area, he will work closely with him and with Cumberland Council to ensure Flimby gets its fair share of the £20 million.

A neighbourhood board will soon be established to develop a delivery plan for how the funding will be spent, and Josh is encouraging community leaders from Flimby to come forward to help shape the village’s future.

Speaking after the meeting, Josh said:

“Securing £50,000 for the play park is just the start. Kaelan and Ethan have shown what brilliant things young people can achieve when they put their minds to it, and their petition helped make the case for investment loud and clear.

“With £20 million coming into the area over the next decade, we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make Flimby an even better place to live. I’m committed to working with Markus Campbell-Savours MP, Cumberland Council and local residents to make sure Flimby gets its fair share and that the community leads the way in deciding how this money is spent.”

Residents can continue to share their priorities through Josh’s Pride in Flimby survey at joshmacalister.uk/flimby.