Residents in Burneside, near Kendal, have a final chance to influence proposed 20mph speed limits before Westmorland and Furness Council decides later in 2026 whether the scheme should proceed.
The council has opened a 21-day statutory consultation on an amended Traffic Regulation Order. It is the last formal opportunity for residents to comment on the revised design before any new limits could be introduced.
How to comment on the Burneside proposals
Residents can respond through the council’s consultation information, stating whether they support or oppose the proposals. Anyone who took part in the earlier community engagement can also restate their previous views when responding to the revised design.
The information supplied by Kendal Report does not include the detailed amended layout. Residents will therefore need to consult the council’s information for the full Traffic Regulation Order and the precise details of the proposed changes.
The plans were amended following feedback from an earlier community consultation. The council says the revised design reflects local views, while the statutory process gives residents another opportunity to make their position clear before councillors decide what happens next.
Why the 20mph scheme was amended
Burneside is one of 17 community-backed proposals in the third phase of Westmorland and Furness Council’s wider 20mph programme. The programme is intended for built-up towns and villages where the existing maximum speed limit is 40mph or less.
The schemes have been designed in line with Department for Transport guidance. The stated aim is to create safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Eleven phase-three schemes are progressing as originally proposed. Six, including Burneside, are moving forward with amendments. Nine other proposed schemes will not proceed because the required level of demonstrated support was not received.
Other South Lakeland schemes
In South Lakeland, High Carley and Pennington, Lowick Green and Outgate are progressing without amendments. Burneside, Grasmere and Ulverston are progressing with changes.
Changes to the Ulverston proposals include Soutergate, part of Town Bank Road, Rake Lane and Oakwood Drive. Proposals for Elterwater, Rydal, Troutbeck and Windermere are not being taken forward because respondents did not demonstrate the required level of support.
Westmorland and Furness Council introduced a streamlined process for 20mph applications in December 2023. It said the change made it easier and quicker for communities to submit requests and reduced the application process by several months.
Since then, 49 requests have been made, covering 79 proposed schemes across Westmorland and Furness. The phase-three proposals were first considered by the Eden, Furness and South Lakeland locality boards after communities supported them during the initial consultation.
The Burneside decision is expected later in 2026, after the statutory consultation has closed. Until then, residents’ responses to the final consultation will help inform whether the amended scheme is implemented.