DSiddall

Published at 01:00, Thursday, 30 August 2007

MILLOM has been called the Old Kent Road of Cumbria – and Whitehaven was called Mayfair, by a borough councillor.

Robin Pitt, Copeland councillor for the town’s Newtown Ward, used the Monopoly board analogy to highlight Millom’s deprivation.

His comments came after Beverley Hughes, new minister for the North West, said Whitehaven was an area of deprivation during an interview on Radio Cumbria last month.

But Coun Pitt disagreed. He said: “I wrote a letter to Beverley Hughes explaining Millom would be likened to Whitechapel or the Old Kent Road.

“Situated at the southernmost point, some would say butt end, of Copeland’s administrative area, Millom has been starved of investment.

“It has arguably one of the worst road systems in England.

“West Cumbria is the most remote sub-region in England. Because of the infrastructure, Millom is the most remote part of the most remote sub-region.

“Whitehaven, however, is the council’s seat of power and has benefited from massive and continued investment and regeneration.

“Millom is left out of almost everything. When money is available it goes to other areas, such as Whitehaven and Egremont.”

In his letter, Coun Pitt invited Ms Hughes to visit Millom but this offer has yet to be accepted.

He said: “Beverley did respond to my letter.

“She said that I misunderstood her as she was trying to say there are areas of deprivation and quoted Whitehaven as an example.

“She ignored my invitation to come and see Millom for herself but I’d love for her to come down.

“I am going to write back and invite her again, as I think she needs to see Millom.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk