03/09/03 - New cheaper option to achieve pedestrian priority in Kendal town centre

At a meeting of Cumbria County Council’s South Lakeland Local Committee to be held at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday 17 September, members will discuss a Kendal Traffic option aiming to reach the goal of pedestrian priority in Kendal Town Centre whilst negating the need to work through the remaining two phases of the original plan which included a proposal to build a second bridge over the river.   

County Councillor Ian Stewart, Chair of South lakes Local Committee says,   

“The latest recommended option for Councillors to consider comes after the completion of a new study aiming to achieve the pedestrian priority of the town centre as cost-effectively as possible, building on the success of phase one of the scheme and modifications made in response to community and key stakeholder consultation. Pedestrian priority means that the area would be pedestrianised but with limited access allowed for public transport, blue-badge holders and residents. The new option enables us to achieve a safer environment for pedestrians and it mitigates some of the traffic congestion experienced recently. It increases the viability of public transport services and is supported by Stagecoach as well as a majority of the towns traders. This option achieves pedestrian priority and reaches that goal faster than previously envisaged and at a lower cost.   

The new option would see the introduction of pedestrian priority for the section of Stricklandgate between Library Road and Lowther Street. There would be a reversal of traffic flow and traffic that currently travels northbound on Stricklandgate would be signed into Lowther Street. The section of Stricklandgate between Windermere Road and Library Road would become two-way. 

I am sure that not all of my colleagues will agree with the proposals now recommended to us. That will lead to some lively debate but I hope we are able to agree a way forward for achieving the goals set out in the Local Traffic Plan, ensuring a safer environment and better quality of life for the people of South Lakeland.”   

The new option to achieve pedestrian priority and reduce congestion in Kendal Town Centre is a shorter and more cost effective way to achieve the goals set out in the Local Transport Plan for Kendal than the original Kendal Traffic Scheme, which indicates that the aims are to be achieved through four distinct phases. The first phase, finalised in October 2002, involved the reversal of traffic flow on Lowther Street and the introduction of a two-way system on Sandes Avenue and Blackhall Road, completed in October last year.