Part of a scheme to transform Kendal into 'the UK’s best market town' has shown how it will revolutionise the local road network.

Kendal Futures have laid out their vision through their 'Better Balanced Streets for People and Place' initiative.

Through their proposed changes, car journeys in Kendal would become 'shorter and more logical' and the town centre would become 'more pleasant to walk and cycle through'.

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In 2020, Kendal Futures published the Kendal Vision, which was based on the opinions of 2000 local people.

The Westmorland Gazette: Existing (Left) and Proposed (Below) designs of New Road, looking west towards a pedestrianised Miller BridgeExisting (Left) and Proposed (Below) designs of New Road, looking west towards a pedestrianised Miller Bridge (Image: Kendal Futures)

Mark Cropper, the Chair of Kendal Futures, said: "The impact of traffic on Kendal’s streets was one of their primary concerns with the one-way system recognised as creating significant negative impacts including: dramatically increasing the distances driven in the town, uncomfortable traffic speeds, and noise and air pollution.

"These impacts blight the look and feel of much of the town centre, and its river frontages, and discourages many people from walking or cycling."

The Westmorland Gazette: Visualisation for New Road, looking west towards new bridge and onwards to Miller Bridge, with segregated two way cycle lane, public space with landscaping and seatingVisualisation for New Road, looking west towards new bridge and onwards to Miller Bridge, with segregated two way cycle lane, public space with landscaping and seating (Image: Kendal Futures)

Whilst the plan is described as being 'inspirational', the study involved 'significant data analysis and exploration of technical constraints' to ensure that the proposals could be delivered.

One of the key changes suggested is reducing the town's speed limit to 20mph.

Changes to the traffic system would include routing through traffic along Romney Road, Lound Road and Aynam Road, which would become a two-way system.

A new route through the Canal Head area would be made with a new bridge over the River Kent between Miller Bridge and Gooseholme Bridge to connect to Blackhall Road.

The Westmorland Gazette: Visualisation of Station Road looking east, with simplification of highway layout and improvements to the public realmVisualisation of Station Road looking east, with simplification of highway layout and improvements to the public realm (Image: Kendal Futures)

Stramongate Bridge would also be closed to all vehicles for use by pedestrians and cyclists only.

The study used project development funding from Westmorland & Furness Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The fund, a central part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda, provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.

The next steps for the plan revolve engaging with the local community to assess their opinions on the proposals.

Kendal Futures will be working the local highway authority to test the proposals with a wider transport model.

You can read the full report here.