Residents in Burneside, near Kendal, have one final opportunity to influence proposed 20mph speed limits before Westmorland and Furness Council decides whether the scheme should go ahead later in 2026.
A 21-day statutory consultation on the scheme’s detailed Traffic Regulation Order is now under way. It is the last formal chance for residents 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. Residents can use the council’s consultation information to respond to the detailed order and make their views clear during the statutory period.
What is changing in the Burneside proposal?
The Burneside scheme was amended after feedback from an earlier community consultation. However, the announcement supplied by Kendal Report did not include the detailed amended layout.
The consultation process gives residents the opportunity to add further views and state whether they support or oppose the revised proposals. 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.”
The council says the wider proposals are intended for built-up towns and villages where the existing maximum speed limit is 40mph or less. It says the schemes have been designed in line with Department for Transport guidance, with the stated aim of creating safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Part of a wider Westmorland and Furness programme
Burneside is one of 17 community-backed proposals in the third phase of Westmorland and Furness Council’s wider 20mph programme. Eleven of the phase-three schemes are progressing as originally proposed, while 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. The Ulverston 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 will a decision be made?
The 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.
A decision on whether the Burneside scheme will be implemented is expected later in 2026, after the statutory consultation has ended.