CONCERN for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists going to and from a new housing development has led to calls for a footpath to be extended along the busy A6.

An existing path from Kendal along the A6 stops within 100 metres of the development at Skelsmergh Hall, and Skelsmergh Parish Council wants it extended to the site's access.

Parish councillor Ian Kell said pedestrians leaving the development would join "one of the fastest stretches of the A6", and claimed the exit was "an accident waiting to happen".

He added the parish council felt proposed changes to the Local Plan - which refer to "opportunities for cyclists" and "safe routes to school" - supported the call for an improved footpath.

However, developers New Brunswick Properties, of Kendal, have already received the go-ahead from South Lakleand District Council planners to build nine houses at Skelsmergh Hall, and no objections about access were raised at the time.

And SLDC later accepted an amended application for 12 houses, and felt the proposed expansion was not large enough to require different planning conditions.

SLDC's head of development control Peter Ridgway said: "The existing grass verge along the A6 was considered quite capable of being used by the few people who might want to walk into Kendal."

Extending the tarmac would also involve getting permission from different landowners, he explained, adding: "I am not sure the Highway Agency would want to encourage pedestrians walking that far out of Kendal because of the road speeds."

But Mr Ridgway stressed improved links between Skelsmergh and Kendal would be considered for a revised Local Plan if the issue received enough support during consultation.

Managing director of New Brunswick Properties Robert Hughes had no comment to make when contacted by the Gazette.