BUSINESS leaders in South Lakeland have thrown their weight behind renewed efforts to secure a northern relief road for Kendal.

They say a road linking the existing bypass to Shap Road would secure the future prosperity of the town and reduce traffic levels in Kendal.

The Kendal business affinity group of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is strongly backing the road project, which requires the support of Cumbria County Council.

Councillors are to consider the next major road scheme to be built in the county between 2006-2011, but Kendal faces stiff competition.

Projects under consideration include Kendal northern relief road, Duddon barrage, Workington southern link.

A recommendation is due to be made by the council's all-powerful cabinet on May 20, and will be considered by the full council, probably in July.

Chamber members argue a Duddon barrage would be very expensive and bring only limited benefits, while the Workington area has already seen significant road investment in recent years.

In contrast, they point out Kendal has suffered a number of economic setbacks, with the loss of hundreds of high paid jobs as major employers such as Clarks, Axa and Scottish Provident all pulled out of the town.

Members say a relief road would make it easier for lorries to gain access to the industrial estates in and around Shap Road and ease rat-running' problems through Burneside.

A new road would also open up more land for industrial development around Shap Road, at a time when firms are crying out for more business sites in Kendal.

The Chamber is writing to members in Kendal, especially those on industrial estates on the north side of town, asking them to fill in a questionnaire giving details of traffic movements. The findings will be used by the chamber as back-up evidence of the need for a relief road.

Meanwhile, chamber members want to further develop plans to revitalise the area's economy after gaining the ear of Department of Trade and Industry minister Stephen Timms last month.

They hope to secure government funding to form incubation units designed to offer help and support to get new businesses off the ground.

Statistics show new firms which start off with this helping hand stand a much better chance of surviving.

A scheme could be developed in partnership with South Lakeland District Council, the North West Development Agency and Cumbria Inward Investment Agency. The chamber also hopes to work with Lancaster University on the venture.

Businessman John Ashford, a South Lakeland representative on the board of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, joined a delegation which met the minister in London.

He briefed members on the visit at the latest affinity group meeting and paid tribute to George Inchmore of the Federation of Small Businesses for supplying facts and figures to back-up Kendal's case.

The chamber plans to launch a survey shortly to gauge the level of support and need for a business incubation park.

l NEXT week, Business Gazette reports on how the Chamber of Commerce plans to secure a business incubation park and what it would mean for fledgling firms in the area.

April 10, 2003 10:00