Campaigners fight to keep Cumbria’s care homes open

Nearly 10,000 people have signed petitions to keep two care homes in West Cumbria open.

Cumbria County Council wants to close three homes - Park Lodge in Aspatria, Woodlands in Distington and Richmond Park in Workington as it claims the homes are struggling to meet residents' needs.

If the council decides to go ahead and close the homes, it has promised to find alternative homes for the 59 residents.

Two homes, Inglewood in Wigton and Parkside in Maryport, have also been earmarked for an upgrade, to help them support people with dementia. Cumbria County Council said it will also put in more investment so more people can be supported at home.

A spokesman for the council said it has received both ‘positive and negative’ responses to the plans.

Campaigners fighting the closures have collected 3,579 signatures on the Park Lodge petition and 6,289 against the closure of Richmond Park. The council’s ruling cabinet makes the final decision on 15 March.