A project designed to improve sustainable transport access to Pooley Bridge is to be delivered by Cumbria County Council.
The initiative aims to attract more bus and coach visitors to Pooley Bridge and Ullswater, and also encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more in the local area. It is hoped the schemes will support local businesses and boost the local economy.
The project features three schemes:
- Landing stage coach stop. This will involve improvements to the coach drop-off point and footway at the Ullswater Steamers Ferry House, and public realm improvements at the nearby viewing platform including a new public seating area.
- Village centre bus and coach stop. This will involve installing a bus and coach stop in the centre of Pooley Bridge, with an extended footway, raised kerbing and road markings.
- Coach layby. This will involve improving the existing informal layby to the east of the village on the C3042 to create a coach waiting area, including kerbing, surface improvements and road markings.
The county council has secured £206,000 of funding for the improvements from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Growth Programme. In addition, contributions from the Lake District National Park Authority and Lake District Estates (owners of Ullswater Steamers) will help to deliver the project.
The works are expected to start in January 2019 and be completed before the end of March 2019.
Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “The county council is working with partners to deliver a series of improvements which will benefit the local community and visitors to Pooley Bridge. We believe this project will also help attract more coach parties to the area and support the local economy.”
