It is eminently sensible and practical for Cumbria to be a unitary local authority, but only in the context of greater devolution to the entire north of England.

The proposals for a Morecambe Bay local government council area on the grounds that it has “always been Lancashire”, as suggested by some people, are only marginally less bonkers than opening a new coal mine next to Sellafield and its stockpile of toxic radioactive nuclear waste.

It depends how far back in time you want to go. This area has variously probably been part of Rheged, ancient Yorkshire and at one stage the great Celtic Kingdom of Northumbria stretching roughly from The Humber and The Mersey to The Firth of Forth.

No doubt the Eden Project North and Bay local government disorganisation proposal are linked but it will take more than a crime drama with moody scenic views and ethereal music to recover the fortunes of Morecambe and its polluted bay.

There is the hinterland of poverty, dereliction and long-term poor health in Heysham, Morecambe and parts of Lancaster which often accompanies the presence of nuclear infrastructure and which needs to be tackled if Morecambe is going to show signs of improvement.

There are other measures which could help:

Reinstating the railway station to its previous position in front of the gloriously restored Midland Hotel. Reopening the Beeching-closed railway lines and stations across northern England and the Scottish Borders so people without cars can get there. And the reunification of northern England as a region with its own devolved regional parliament and government in place in time for inevitable Scottish independence, with all the difficulties and opportunities that brings.

SIMON BURDIS

Milnthorpe