Residents in Burneside, near Kendal, have a final chance to influence proposed 20mph speed limits before Westmorland and Furness Council makes a decision later in 2026. A 21-day statutory consultation on the scheme’s detailed Traffic Regulation Order is now under way.
The consultation is the last formal opportunity for people to comment on the amended design before any speed-limit changes could be introduced. Responses will be considered by the council before it reaches its final decision.
What the consultation covers
The Burneside proposal has been amended following feedback from an earlier community consultation. However, the announcement supplied by Kendal Report did not include the detailed amended layout.
Residents can use the council’s consultation information to respond to the detailed Traffic Regulation Order during the 21-day statutory period. The process allows people to add their views and make their position clear before the council decides whether the scheme should be implemented.
The council said: “We would like to thank everybody who responded to the initial engagement and helped shape these 20mph schemes to reflect local need.”
A council spokesperson added: “This statutory consultation is a necessary step and is a further opportunity for residents to add their views and emphasise their position.”
Part of Westmorland and Furness 20mph programme
Burneside is one of 17 community-backed proposals included in the third phase of Westmorland and Furness Council’s wider 20mph programme. The schemes are intended for built-up towns and villages where the existing maximum speed limit is 40mph or less.
The council says the proposals were designed in line with Department for Transport guidance. Its stated aim is to create safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Of the 17 phase-three schemes across Westmorland and Furness, 11 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.
In South Lakeland, High Carley and Pennington, Lowick Green and Outgate are progressing without amendments. Burneside, Grasmere and Ulverston are progressing with changes. In Ulverston, those amendments 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.
When a decision is expected
The council introduced a streamlined process for 20mph applications in December 2023, saying it 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. A decision on whether the Burneside scheme will be implemented is expected later in 2026, once the statutory consultation has ended.