Cumbria County Council will start work on the second and final phase of the Kendal Town Centre Traffic scheme on Monday 7th February 2005.
This phase will introduce a pedestrian priority zone in Stricklandgate between the Town Hall and Library Road for a six month trial period. The works are expected to last for six weeks and the pedestrian priority zone will come into affect on Sunday, 20th March, 2005.
During the trial, detailed monitoring will take place to measure its operation. The county council will determine the success of the trial during the summer and is due to make a decision on its future in October 2005.
Oliver Pearson, chairman of Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for South Lakeland, said: "The introduction of this pedestrian priority zone is a crucial part of the overall Kendal Transport Plan. It's purpose is not only to reduce the effects of the increased numbers of vehicles in the town centre, but also to provide an enhanced pedestrian shopping area as well as support the use of more sustainable forms of transport. This is very good news for Kendal."
The work required to install the trial is being kept to an absolute minimum in order to minimise the disruption to businesses and the public.
Most of the work involves changes to the existing traffic signals and minor carriageway changes at the Town Hall and Sandes Avenue/Windermere Road junctions.
A cycle lane is to be provided along with bays for bus stops and for loading. Other work will also be done to improve the current system including widening Blackhall Road to provide an extra traffic lane, and a new coach drop-off point next to Blackhall Road car park.
The works to widen Blackhall Road will last for two weeks, before work moves onto Stricklandgate for four weeks. For the first two weeks, traffic on Blackhall Road will only be able to run in a northbound direction only (i.e. from New Road up to Sandes Avenue). No access into Blackhall will be possible from Sandes Avenue and therefore all southbound traffic will be diverted along Sandes Avenue, Station Road, around the Longpool roundabout, Wildman Street, over Stramongate Bridge and then onto New Road.
The works on Stricklandgate will begin at the Town Hall and work northwards towards Library Road. The contractors will work so as to leave at least one lane open at all times to enable access for residents and businesses.
Advance signing will be in place to inform motorists and other road users of where and when disruption will occur on routes through the town.
Further signing will be provided to direct motorists around the diversion route during the first two weeks.
All queries regarding these works should be directed to the Highways Call Centre on 0845 609 6609 or to the resident engineer on mobile phone 07919-382-799.