The throughput of waste at North West Recycling could increase under proposed changes
A cycling charity has warned part of a cycle route could be removed from the National Cycle Network if plans to expand a recycling site lead to more lorries using the road.
North West Recycling wants to increase waste-processing capacity at its site near Rockliffe, north of Carlisle, in Cumbria.
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust said an increase in heavy goods vehicles on National Cycle Route 7 between Cargo and Rockcliffe was expected, prompting safety concerns, and called for improvements to protect cyclists.
North West Recycling said it supported lower speed limits and traffic-calming measures and was willing to discuss extending a cycle path.
Rockcliffe Parish Council chairman Geoff Moss said: "There is a link between Cargo and Rockcliffe where there are quite a few bad bends and there's no street lighting or white lines.
"In 2017 it was measured in excess of 7,000 vehicles a day and it's only got worse – it's busy for cyclists at the best of times."
The company's original application proposed increasing the amount of waste it could handle from about 150,000 tonnes annually to 600,000 tonnes, in two phases.
The number of additional lorry journeys has not been confirmed.
In its response to a consultation on the plans, the cycle trust said the road was currently considered suitable for cyclists because of a low volume of traffic.
An increase in lorries could result in the section being removed from the National Cycle Network unless safety improvements were made, it said.
The charity subsequently suggested a separate cycle path, a 30mph speed limit, warning signs and road markings.
Geoff Moss, chair of Rockcliffe Parish Council, said he feared more lorries would make the road dangerous.
He also questioned whether existing speed restrictions were sufficient, saying he had seen lorries accelerate where the speed limit increased.
North West Recycling said it recognised residents' concerns about HGV traffic.
It also said it had told the council it would support reduced speed limits and traffic-calming measures.
Any increase in capacity would be phased and compliance standards would be met at each stage, it said.
The Environment Agency said it was minded to approve the permit changes, but had not made a final decision.
Follow BBC Cumbria on X, external, Facebook, external, Nextdoor and Instagram, external and listen to Radio Cumbria on BBC Sounds.
Do you have a story suggestion for BBC Cumbria?
Anger over waste plant's fourfold growth plan
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
North West Recycling
The beautiful Cumbria beach named one of the quietest in the UK
Meet Bonzo, the 'very clever boy' looking for his forever home in Cumbria
Vintage photographs show horses at work in South Cumbria
Gallery: 'Week to remember' as Day of the Dead celebrations come to Barrow
160kg of bathroom revamp waste dumped on South Cumbria verge
Two more groups fined and ordered to put out open fires by Lake District shore
Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC
Meghan's father Thomas Markle appears in court over child sex abuse material
With Stephen Miller pick, Trump readies for a battle
Brand's barrister refers himself to regulator after report he confronted journalist
With Stephen Miller pick, Trump readies for a battle
What happens if all the lights go out? This is the plan for a 'Black Sky' event
Relief, tears and sadness: Married at First Sight UK cast react to show being axed
'My mortgage is going up £200': How rising interest rates are hitting people's pockets
Missing The Traitors? Here’s how you can play (and win) at home
The Papers: 'Meghan's father charged' and 'Brand investigation widens'
From young offender to junior doctor: 'I wrote a plan and stuck to it'
Skepta: 'I'm what it looks like if you give an immigrant child a chance'
US Politics Unspun: Cut through the noise with Anthony Zurcher's newsletter
Let the mind games begin in The Traitors Ireland
Keith Richards recalls how he wrote the iconic 'Satisfaction'
Stacey Dooley explores the unexpected death of 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck
A toast to the formation of the Campaign for Real Ale in 1971
What happens if all the lights go out? This is the plan for a 'Black Sky' event
With Stephen Miller pick, Trump readies for a battle
'Meghan's father charged' and 'Brand investigation widens'
Relief, tears and sadness: Married at First Sight UK cast react to show being axed
Brand's barrister refers himself to regulator after report he confronted journalist
Dutch launch shows smugglers are adapting, says MP
Paraguay's President Santiago Peña impeached and arrested after bank collapse
This man refused life-saving treatment because of his religion – days later the rules changed
Katherine Ryan says she feels 'grief and relief' after Russell Brand conviction
Meghan's father Thomas Markle appears in court over child sex abuse material
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
About the Author
