MP: 'Ambleside campus turf cutting marks another major milestone in our campaign'

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has hailed the turf cutting at Ambleside as marking another milestone in the campaign to re-develop the campus. Tim has promised to continue to work with residents and Lakes Parish Council to make sure the university live up to their promises.

Last week, University of Cumbria Honorary Fellow, and ambassador of the outdoors, Sir Chris Bonington, 'ceremonially cut the first turf' for the start of the first phase of the University of Cumbria's Ambleside campus redevelopment.

According to the Universitythe redevelopment of the site has also had a significant impact on the university's recruitment figures. The courses currently due to move from Penrith to Ambleside have seen more than a 20% increase from students making the University of Cumbria their first choice, compared to the same time last year.

Four years ago the University planned to 'mothball' the campus. The campaign to save the much loved campus was spearheaded by Tim and has had widespread public backing throughout the South Lakes. At public meetings in Ambleside hundreds of local residents came to voice their opposition to plans to close the campus; thousands also signed a petition and there were two marches through the town.

Tim said: "Every time I meet university bosses I remind them of their name, the University of Cumbria. Having campuses in London and Lancaster is all well and good but they must deliver Higher Education to the people of Cumbria - and Ambleside should be a key part of that. For me it's the jewel in their crown. They put it on the front page of their prospectus to attract students, so I call on them to deliver on their promises to our community and to their students."