[A]s part of the ongoing infrastructure improvement works in Kendal to support South Lakeland District Council’s local plan, Cumbria County Council plans to build a cycle way along Shap Road in 2018.
The extended cycle way will run along Wildman Street, and connect with the canal path. Funding for the scheme is provided by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.
It is hoped that the cycle way, which will eventually provide a continuous loop around the town for cyclists and wheelchair users, will encourage an increase in cycling, link up key infrastructure and enable school pupils to cycle to and from the nearby Queen Katherine School. Ultimately the goal is to reduce traffic congestion in Kendal and improve air quality.
To assess the traffic impact of introducing a cycle way along Wildman Street, the council is implementing a trial period during which water filled barriers will be used to widen the footpath to 2.5m on the south side of the street. This will result in an average reduction of the road width of 60cm. The trial will include a 24 metre long drop off zone outside the Premier Shop for businesses and their customers. This will result in the junction with Stramondgate, Breezon Road and Castle Street being reduced from two lanes to one, but traffic will continue to be able to exit in all three directions (see attached map).
The trial is scheduled to last for 2 months, from Sunday 13 August to Sunday 8 October, to allow assessment over a holiday period and during school term time.
Councillor Keith Little, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This trial will allow us to see if this solution would work or not – we will be monitoring the trial closely and if we see traffic being significantly affected then we can quickly and easily remove the barriers. This is an important scheme for Kendal and will help cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users get around more easily and safely.”
The original proposal for this scheme was subject to public consultation in March 2016. A further consultation exercise with town and district councils, Cumbria Police and community groups regarding the trial narrowing of Wildman Street took place in July 2017 and the plan received broad support.
