People are being invited to share their views from 9 February on initial design proposals for a new scheme aiming to make it safer and easier to walk, wheel and cycle through the heart of the Lake District.
The Grasmere to Dunmail Raise Active Travel Scheme, being delivered by Westmorland and Furness Council, is one of three sections identified for improvement within the See More Lake District Cycling Project, funded by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. The other two sections, which include an extension to the Keswick to Threlkeld multiuser trail and a crossing of the A591 at the top of Thirlmere, are being developed by the Lake District National Park Authority, National Highways and Cumberland Council.
Combined, the proposals aim to create a well-connected route for people to walk, wheel and cycle from Grasmere to Thirlmere and onward to Keswick, enhancing the visitor offer, attracting more people to the Lake District National Park and supporting low-carbon tourism.
The Grasmere to Dunmail Raise section will see a new cycle track and footway along parts of the A591, as well as improved surfaces and signage on rural roads north of Grasmere village. Within the village itself, ‘shared spaces’ - carefully designed to fit with the character of the area - will aim to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
A consultation on the proposals is due to launch on Monday, 9 February, and feedback from the consultation will help shape the emerging designs.
More information on the initial designs, including illustrative maps and images, will be included alongside the online consultation questionnaire, which will be live from 9 February at: https://consult.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/westmorland-and-furness-council/grasmere-to-dunmail-raise
The project team are hosting an in-person drop-in for local residents to find out more on 9 February at Grasmere Village Hall between 11am and 6.30pm and an online briefing and question and answer session is being organised for Wednesday, 18 February, between 1pm and 2:30pm. Anyone interested in joining the online briefing can email activetravel@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk to request an invitation to the session.
The sessions are open to all, but invitations and more details are being sent directly to 300 homes and 65 businesses in the immediate Grasmere area.
Councillor John Murray, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet member for Transport and Regulatory Services, said: “The idea of creating an active travel link between Grasmere and Dunmail Raise has been explored for over a decade, but thanks to funding from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth deal we are closer to making this a reality.
“The proposed route closes a missing section of the National Cycle Network Route 6, a 442-mile route from London to Carlisle, passing through the heart of the Lake District National Park, and supports both the Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan (2022–2037) and the Heart of the Lakes Active Travel Infrastructure Strategy (ATIS).
“We know the A591 carries a high volume of traffic and there is currently no footway for pedestrians, only a narrow verge. The lack of any separate pathway, combined with often fast-moving traffic, means anyone walking, wheeling, cycling or riding a horse has no alternative but to use the carriageway and this can be challenging and dangerous, even for experienced cyclists.
“In contrast, the rural roads north of Grasmere are generally quiet and have low traffic speeds. These lanes are already used by people walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding, sharing the space with vehicles. However, some areas suffer from poor road surfaces and drainage.
“Within Grasmere village itself, streets are mainly designed for vehicles, with limited defined space for pedestrians and cyclists. During busy tourist periods, pedestrians often spill into the roadway and cycle parking is hard to find and underused.
“Several route alignments have been considered to address these issues and options have focused on improvements to existing roads, rather than creating new off-road links, mindful of the local protected landscapes and environmental sensitivities.
“Now we are inviting people to have their say on the initial designs. Anyone who has an interest can get involved, whether you are a resident or a someone who just enjoys visiting the area.
“We need your feedback to help us make this proposed scheme the best it can be. I would encourage as many people as possible to fill in the consultation survey when it goes live on 9 February.’’
Following the consultation, a feedback report will be produced and will be used to help further shape the design. Detailed designs will be subject to further consultation before a final business case is submitted to Government for approval. Subject to approval of the business case, it is anticipated construction of the new route would start in 2028.
As well as the online consultation survey, hard copies of the survey will be available at the following locations from 9 February 2026:
- Ambleside Library
- Windermere Library
- Kendal Library
- Kendal Town Hall/South Lakeland House
The consultation will run from 9 February 2026 until 2 March 2026.