Traffic engineers are working on a jam-busting scheme which could pave the way for Kendal town centre being pedestrianised next year, instead of in 2006, reports Mike Addison.

A report to be presented to Cumbria County Council's South Lakeland local committee next month will suggest dropping a major element of the controversial traffic scheme introducing two-way traffic on Aynam Road in favour of moving forward the pedestrianisation of Stricklandgate to 2004.

The news comes exactly a year since the wraps came off the first phase of the £5 million experiment aimed at cutting congestion created by the estimated 18,000 vehicles which pass through the town every day.

Traffic consultant Rob Lawley, of Capita, said there was a desire to move towards pedestrianisation "sooner rather than later" because of the likely problems of getting permission to build a new bridge over the River Kent to accommodate two-way traffic and concerns of residents in Aynam Road about the potential increase in traffic.

It is believed that making Aynam Road two-way would ease the pressure on the main Highgate/Stricklandgate route through Kendal by taking traffic over a wider bridge on to New Road and Blackhall Road. Instead Mr Lawley said the traffic engineers were now considering a number of alternative options to help ease the "big flow" problems on Highgate/Stricklandgate, but he was not prepared to reveal what they were until the report was completed.

He said pedestrianisation would help prevent the back-up of traffic occurring at regular intervals on Library Road because the bottom end of Stricklandgate would become two-way. He also felt the introduction of loading and unloading restrictions in the town centre could ease the jams at "pinch points" through town and on Windermere Road. Other benefits to flow from pedestrianisation would be a reduction in accidents and better town centre air quality, said Mr Lawley.

But proposals to ban daytime deliveries on some of Kendal's shopping streets have been greeted with outrage by shopkeepers, who fear they could be forced out of business.

The plans were unveiled this week at a meeting of Kendal's Retail Forum with traffic engineers defending the proposals against a barrage of criticism from around 35 traders, who believe the town could be "strangled" if the loading restrictions win the support of county councillors next week.

"We are the biggest employer you've got left in this town," said George Inchmore, of George Edwardian menswear on Stramongate. "You should be protecting us, looking after us, you should be trying to make the town viable."

Ray Churchett, of Kendal Food Hall, warned that the town could be moving in the same direction as the Surrey town of Leatherhead, recently voted as having one of Britain's worst high streets, and where pedestrianisation is believed to have led to decline and shop vacancies.

County engineer Nick Raymond stressed the original aim of the Kendal traffic scheme was to cut congestion and work towards pedestrian priority: "It's not the county council's desire that any businesses go into bankruptcy because of it, and to suggest such is wrong."

CCC's South Lakeland local committee will be considering the loading proposals next Thursday (May 8). If it gives its support, the proposals will have to be advertised. Any objections could trigger a public inquiry.

Carolyn Wilson, proprietor of Baby World, on Stricklandgate, told the Gazette she would be seeking legal advice and that, after the "stress and strain" of the changes to Kendal traffic, this was "the final straw."

Meanwhile, traffic flow changes have been blamed for damaging the town's bus service and consequently hampering efforts to encourage green transport in the town.

Stagecoach has cut the frequency of cross town services between the central shopping area and Heron Hill, Sandylands, Burneside and Collinfield.

Casting judgement on the traffic changes, Stagecoach North West managing director Nigel Barrett said the system was "better than it was when first introduced but it still has its problems."

May 2, 2003 09:00