Kendal Riverside Active Travel

We’re developing a scheme to install an active travel route through the town centre and along the River Kent.

Status: Preliminary design
Funding: Active Travel Fund 4 (ATF4) (Preliminary Design)
Local Regeneration Fund (formerly Levelling Up Fund), Local Transport Grant and Active Travel Fund 5 (ATF5) (Detailed Design and Build) 
Policy Framework: Kendal Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

Project description

Our Kendal Riverside South active travel scheme provides a 1.3km route. People can walk, wheel, or cycle along this route through the centre of Kendal.

The route follows New Road (A65) from its junction with Stramongate to Miller Bridge. It links into the town centre via Kent Street and continues along the riverside path. It provides shared route for walking, wheeling and cycling to Dowker’s Lane and Nether Bridge. 

The government’s Active Travel Fund 4 funded the early designs.

We now have further funding to develop detailed designs and construct the route. This is through the government’s:

  • Local Regeneration Fund (formerly Levelling Up Fund)
  • Local Transport Grant
  • Active Travel Fund 5 (ATF5)

The project forms part of the Heart of Kendal Programme. The programme will deliver lasting improvements to:

  • support local businesses
  • enhance public spaces
  • create a more connected Kendal

Learn more about the Heart of Kendal Programme

Our proposals aim to improve walking, wheeling and cycling connections along part of Kendal’s riverside. It will create more accessible routes for everyday journeys and leisure. 

The project also helps to deliver the Kendal Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The LCWIP outlines a network of safe, convenient and inclusive walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the town. 

Timescales

We developed the preliminary designs in September 2024. 

Future timescales are expected to be:

  • November 2025 – Public consultation on the Preliminary Designs
  • December 2025 – Consultation report to be published
  • Winter 2025 – Preliminary designs to be completed
  • Summer 2026 – Detailed designs to be completed
  • Winter 2026 – Construction to commence

Consultation and engagement

We undertook a public consultation on the preliminary design between Wednesday 5 November and Wednesday 26 November 2025. A report on the feedback received will be published shortly.