Residents in Burneside, near Kendal, have a final opportunity to influence proposed 20mph speed limits, with a 21-day statutory consultation now under way. Westmorland and Furness Council is expected to consider the responses before deciding whether the amended scheme should proceed later in 2026.
The consultation concerns the scheme’s detailed Traffic Regulation Order. It is the last formal opportunity to comment on the revised design before any new speed limits could be introduced.
How to respond to the Burneside proposals
Residents can respond through the council’s consultation information, setting out whether they support or oppose the proposals. Comments on the revised design can also restate views submitted during the earlier community engagement.
The detailed amended layout was not included in the announcement supplied by Kendal Report, so residents will need to consult the council’s information for the full order and details of the proposed changes.
“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.”
Why the design was changed
The Burneside scheme was amended after feedback from an earlier community consultation. The council says its wider 20mph programme is intended for built-up towns and villages where the existing maximum speed limit is 40mph or less.
Westmorland and Furness Council 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.
Burneside’s place in the wider programme
Burneside is one of 17 community-backed proposals in the third phase of the council’s wider 20mph programme. Eleven 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?
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.
A decision on whether the Burneside scheme will be implemented is expected later in 2026, after the statutory consultation has ended.