Brampton 2 Zero Brampton 2 Zero (B2Z) is a grassroots group determined to make a difference. Its overarching aim is to reduce Brampton’s carbon emissions and increase its resilience to climate change. Phil Furneaux from B2Z said: One of its most ambitious projects to date has been to create a natural flood defence management system for Brampton. Funded by the Environment Agency and working with Eden Rivers Trust, leaky dams have been designed to hold back Brampton Beck. Leaky dams work by slowing the flow of a water course to reduce a flood peak by temporarily storing water upstream. In Brampton, this is being achieved by regenerating the moss coverage upstream in land that was previously drained for farming. Phil said: Phil stressed the importance of grant funding to groups like B2Z: CASE STUDY This three-year project is being supported by the local farming community. As well as mitigating future floods it will regenerate the moss thereby restoring biodiversity and increasing carbon capture. Footpaths will be added around the site to help make it a community asset. If it weren’t for the initial set up funding from Cumbria Community Foundation, we would not be able to do the work we are doing now. Even modest sums make a fundamental difference to groups like ours. Many Brampton residents want to reduce their carbon footprint and some live very sustainable lives. However, the community as a whole needs to change and B2Z provides practical solutions such as tree planting as well as signposting residents to advice on home insulation, assisting with retrofitting homes, and installing solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden (CACE) provides free, confidential, impartial, and independent advice to people who live or work in Carlisle and Eden. It offers the advice people need for the problems they face. Chief Executive Andy Auld said: CACE helps people with a range of matters, including debt, benefits, housing and employment issues whilst also dealing with queries about consumer or tax rights. It advises on legal matters, answers questions about immigration and has lots of experience on family and personal matters too. Last year Citizens Advice supported 3,185 clients with 18,043 issues in Carlisle, with many clients needing help with more than one issue. Benefits was the top issue it supported people with, followed by debt, then housing. Andy explained: CACE research and campaigns work aims to make longer term change by improving the policies and practices that affect people's lives. Andy said: CASE STUDY Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden supports some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We provide information and advice to anyone in need and will always value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We help a lot of people who are working and struggling to afford to pay their bills. Benefits are topping up inadequate wages and we are concerned that benefits are not keeping up with inflation. There’s a lack of affordable and social housing for people in Carlisle. Whilst food and fuel poverty initiatives are helpful, they only provide a sticking plaster, not a long-term solution. We are using the stories our clients tell us to provide a unique insight into the problems faced by people in Carlisle but also across the UK. In this way we hope to make long term change for the better for people living and working in Carlisle. Carlisle: Opportunities & Challenges 2025 40 41
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