Plans in place to introduce a number of 20mph zones in south Cumbria
Councillors will consider whether to progress next Wednesday (29th Jan)
Plans to introduce a number of 20mph zones in south Cumbria are set to take a step forward.
Members of South Lakeland locality board for Westmorland and Furness Council are recommended to progress plans to introduce 20mph speed limits in nine areas.
According to a report prepared for the meeting, the council is set to move forward with plans for 20mph zones in Gleaston, Great and Little Urswick, Natland, Oxenholme, and Swarthmoor without amendments.
The Liberal Democrat-led authority is also in line to take a step forward with proposals for 20mph speed limits with amendments in Allithwaite, Ambleside, Coniston and Sedgwick.
The council say where amendments have been suggested, the revised plans have been sent for consideration and for local meetings to be held to discuss where required.
If the locality board approves progressing the schemes, a statutory consultation on the proposals will take place.
The 20mph speed limit policy and implementation was a priority set out by the council to make a commitment to be at the ‘forefront’ of tackling climate change and the challenges it presents, the report states.
The report adds:
“20mph speed limits are important in supporting local communities and through the Council Plan, aims to promote lower vehicle speeds.
“The main aims are to promote safer roads, reduce congestion, reduce vehicle pollution, enhance the environment for walking and cycling, and support the community having a sense of place.”
However plans for a 20mph zone in Bowness are set to be halted for now as a ‘significant’ number of responses in a public consultation were not in favour of implementing the scheme.
Council documents show 58.9 per cent of respondents in Bowness were against the idea of the 20mph scheme.
Locality board members will consider whether to progress plans for 20mph zones at a meeting on January 29 at Kendal Town Hall.