‘Figures prove the case to save BBC Radio Cumbria’ says MP

Figures released this week back up case to save Radio Cumbria says South Lakes MP Tim Farron.

The number of listeners tuning to BBC Local Radio every week has risen by 298,000 in the last three months, according to the latest official figures released by Radio Joint Audience Research.

And more specifically according to the research BBC Radio Cumbria is one of the most listened to regional broadcasters in the country. The average person listens to Radio Cumbria about 10 hours per week.

The BBC has planned significant funding reductions for the radio station, which could reduce the service to breakfast and drive-time shows with national radio broadcast at other times.

Tim is leading the campaign to save the station. He recently met with BBC Radio Cumbria staff at a lobby of parliament and he has written to Lord Patten, the new Chairman of the BBC Trust asking him to step in and save the much loved local service.

BBC Radio Cumbria has a unique role in providing news and information county-wide and has been an extremely important source of information for Cumbrians during times of crisis such as the 2001 Foot and Mouth outbreak, the 2007 Grayrigg tragedy and 2009 Cumbrian floods. If these plans were to be forced through news services would be greatly reduced as would the ability to hold local decision makers to account.

Commenting today Tim said: "BBC Radio Cumbria is an absolute pillar of everyday life in Cumbria. We rely on it for news, comment, entertainment and up to date information about weather, events and travel in Cumbria.

"These figures released this week show that there is a much listened to service that is loved throughout our county. We must convince the BBC to preserve Radio Cumbria."