Twenty four new 20mph speed limits given the final go ahead across Westmorland and Furness

Twenty four new 20mph speed limits have been approved across Westmorland and Furness, with the schemes set to be introduced in the spring of 2026.

The plans have been developed following a consultation process. Over 5,200 people shared input during initial local consultation last year, with a further 233 contributing to statutory consultation at the end of the year. Feedback showed clear community support for the proposals, prompting members on locality boards representing Eden, Furness, and South Lakeland to approve the schemes earlier this month.

The new speed limits follow Department for Transport guidelines and aim to create safer roads for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The limits focus on developed areas with existing speed limits of 40mph or below. Community requests for these measures were submitted via Westmorland and Furness Council's streamlined route introduced in December 2023, which was designed to simplify and speed up the application process.

Furness schemes

All eight proposed 20mph schemes across Furness have been approved.

Strong support was shown during consultations for speed limits near Cambridge Primary School, Cows Tarn Lane, Dane Ghyll Primary School, Newbarns Primary School, Ramsden Infant School, Walney School and Sandy Gap Lane. To address feedback raised in earlier consultations, two proposals for St Paul’s Junior School and Victoria Infant and Nursery School were combined into a single scheme.

Following the statutory consultation, with 26 representations considered, members agreed that the order will proceed as advertised.

Eden schemes

Proposals for Clifton, Gamblesby, Glassonby, Great Asby, Greystoke, Sockbridge & Tirril, and Stainton received significant community backing.

For Penrith, individual notifications resulted in 764 consultation responses—730 of which were local. Forty six per cent supported the proposals outright, 14 per cent supported them with amendments, and 40 per cent opposed them. Analysis of responses indicated overall support across Penrith, though feedback concerning Castletown was inconclusive. As a result, Castletown proposals will be re-consulted on as part of the autumn plans, while Skirsgill Lane will be added to the current Penrith scheme moving forward.

A total of 48 representations raised during statutory consultation were reviewed before agreeing the order as advertised.

South Lakeland schemes

New 20mph speed limits will go ahead in Cartmel, Greenodd and Penny Bridge, Heversham, Ings, Levens, Milnthorpe, Satterthwaite, and Kendal.

Feedback during consultation showed a mixed response for Kendal. While 40 per cent supported the proposed scheme, 16 per cent requested amendments, and 44 per cent opposed it. Despite some opposition, statutory consultation responses were reviewed, and the order was approved as advertised.

Cllr Peter Thornton, Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT, stated: "This brings the total number of 20mph schemes we have introduced across Westmorland and Furness to 44. Forty four communities who have requested these measures be taken and where the streets will be safer for all, as well as encouraging wider use, whether that be walking, wheeling or cycling."

He added: "Not only have communities requested these schemes be introduced through our new streamlined route but thousands of people have engaged with the process and helped shape them to ensure they better meet the needs of the communities. We pledged to only take on schemes where there was demonstrated community support, which was a crucial part of the process."

Additional schemes will be brought forward later in the year for consultation.