Twenty-four community-backed 20mph speed limits have received final approval and will be introduced across Westmorland and Furness in 2026.
Following an extensive consultation process, more than 5,200 residents took part in initial consultation last year by responding and shaping the 20mph schemes.
Statutory consultation at the end of the last year saw a further 233 responses. Members on Eden, Furness and South Lakeland locality boards this month agreed that after the statutory consultation there was still significant community support for all the schemes.
They will now be implemented in the spring and initial public consultation on the third round of schemes will be launched later in the year.
Designed based on clear Department for Transport guidance, the schemes will create safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. They focus on areas in built up towns and villages with a current maximum speed limit of 40mph or less. Requests for the limits came through a new streamlined route launched by Westmorland and Furness Council in December 2023 which made it easier and quicker for communities to submit applications for 20mph.
Cllr Peter Thornton, Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT, said: "This brings the total number of 20mph schemes we have introduced across Westmorland and Furness to 44. Forty four communities who have requested these measures be taken and where the streets will be safer for all, as well as encouraging wider use, whether that be walking, wheeling or cycling.
"Not only have communities requested these schemes be introduced through our new streamlined route but thousands of people have engaged with the process and helped shape them to ensure they better meet the needs of the communities. We also pledged to only take on schemes where there was demonstrated community support. This was a crucial part of the process and I am delighted to see these schemes go forward.
"More schemes will be brought forward later in the year to be consulted on. These will include Castletown in Penrith, where the feedback last year was not conclusive one way or the other, so we feel the fairest way forward is to relook at that area separately. I would urge as many people as possible interested in the upcoming proposals to engage with the consultation and help us ensure how we proceed reflects what the community wants."
The schemes are as follows:
Furness
All eight of the proposed 20mph schemes will go ahead in the Furness area.
The schemes for Cambridge Primary School, Barrow; Cows Tarn Lane, Walney; Dane Ghyll Primary School, Barrow; Newbarns Primary School, Barrow; Ramsden Infant School, Barrow; and Walney School and Sandy Gap Lane received strong support from residents in the initial consultation.
Amendments to 20mph scheme designs at St Paul’s Junior School and Victoria Infant and Nursery School and Victoria Junior School, in Barrow meant the two schemes were joined together to ensure they best meet community needs raised in the consultation.
A total of 26 representations were received during the statutory consultation and advertisement of the proposed order. Having taken into account the points raised, members agreed that the order is brought into force as advertised.
Eden
The proposed schemes for Clifton, Gamblesby, Glassonby, Great Asby, Greystoke, Sockbridge & Tirril and Stainton received significant community backing in the initial consultation.
In Penrith, a total of 9,294 individual notifications resulted in a total of 764 responses, 730 of those from respondents who registered a postcode within Penrith itself.
Forty six per cent were in support, 14 per cent in support with amendments and 40 per cent against. Analysis of the data indicated that, whilst other areas of Penrith were supportive overall of the proposals, the data for Castletown was inconclusive.
This led to a recommendation that Skirsgill Lane be added to the scheme and the Castletown proposals omitted and resubmitted and reconsulted on separately as part of this year's proposals.
A total of 48 representations were received during the statutory consultation and advertisement of the proposed order. Having taken into account the points raised, members agreed that the order is brought into force as advertised.
South Lakeland
The proposed schemes for Cartmel; Greenodd and Penny Bridge; Heversham; Ings; Levens; Milnthorpe and Satterthwaite received significant community backing and will move ahead as planned.
The Kendal scheme will also move ahead as planned. A total of 15,712 properties received individual notification of the initial consultation; a total of 2,705 responses were received. Forty per cent of respondents supported the proposal, 16 per cent supported it with amendments and 44 per cent were against.
A total of 159 representations were received during the statutory consultation and advertisement of the proposed order. Having taken into account the points raised, members agreed that the order is brought into force as advertised.
Full details of all the newly-approved schemes in Eden. (Item 6)
Full details of all the newly-approved schemes in Furness. (Item 8)
Full details of all the newly-approved schemes in South Lakeland. (Item 7)
More information on 20mph schemes in Westmorland and Furness.