Plans to introduce a number of 20mph zones in South Cumbria have taken a step forward.
Members of South Lakeland locality board for Westmorland and Furness Council voted to progress plans to introduce reduced speed limits in nine areas.
The council will move forward with plans for 20mph zones in Gleaston, Great and Little Urswick, Natland, Oxenholme, and Swarthmoor without amendments.
The Liberal Democrat-led authority has also taken a step forward with plans for 20mph speed limits with amendments in Allithwaite, Ambleside, Coniston and Sedgwick.
A statutory consultation on the proposals will now take place with council officials hoping to bring the results back for a decision at a locality board meeting in April.
Plans for a 20mph zone in Bowness have been 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.
Cabinet member for highways and ICT councillor Peter Thornton (Kendal Strickland and Fell, Lib Dems) told the board that the council is not going to push 20mph zones on areas.
Cllr Thornton added: “I’m not saying what Wales did was wrong, but what Wales did was just say ‘this is what’s going to happen’, we’re not doing that.
“We’re talking to people and doing what people want on the ground.”
Councillor Matt Brereton (High Furness, Conservative) said community buy-in for 20mph schemes was incredibly important.
Cllr Brereton added: “Where it has been implemented in my ward, even once the signs go up, that’s in many ways when the hard work starts because that’s where we need compliance and enforcement.
“I think those people that expect once the signs go up, it’s job done, are going to be in for a rude awakening.”
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 said.
The report added: “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.”
