Council secures £406,213 to create even more infrastructure that will boost active journeys to education, workplaces and services across Westmorland and Furness.
Active Travel England has awarded Westmorland and Furness Council ring-fenced funding to support the development of designs for new cycling, walking and wheeling routes in Barrow, Kendal and Penrith and encourage safer and greener journeys to education.
Initial spending plans include creating design options to expand the 1.9 miles of active travel infrastructure that is planned to take shape on Abbey Road in Barrow-in-Furness later this year by a further 1.1 miles towards Rating Lane. Opportunities to develop additional schemes across the area will also be explored and will build on the Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).
Three Westmorland and Furness schools will be chosen to take part in the Governments ‘School Streets’ initiative thanks to this latest tranche of funding. Selected schools will see vehicle-free zones created directly outside school for up to one hour at drop off and pick up times to facilitate safe, active journeys.
Phil Greenup, Assistant Director for Sustainable Transport and Highways at Westmorland and Furness Council said: “This announcement brings more exciting news for the area, and my thanks goes to the team who have been working hard on delivering our Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plans.
“We are delighted to have been awarded this funding that will enable us to continue our ongoing efforts to create greener, safer environments, and encourage our communities to choose sustainable modes of transport for short journeys.
“Not only can we now build on our plans that will bring even more active travel infrastructure to area, the funding will enable us to create a dedicated space for families to safely walk, cycle and scoot to schools. We look forward to working with prospective schools in the coming months to identify where these vehicle-free zones can most effectively be trialed.”
In 2021, the Council trialed five School Streets. Four of these were made permanent including Sir John Barrow School in Ulverston.
Amy Holliman, Assistant Director for Quality, Resources and Transformation in Children’s Services at the Council said: “Physical activity can improve the mood of children arriving at school refreshed, alert and ready to learn.
“I am delighted that we are now in a position to implement three ‘School Street’ trials in Westmorland and Furness. These trial restrictions will help to make the pupils journeys safer, and it’s a great way for families to spend time together by walking and talking.”
The £406,213 funding pot includes £244,000 from the Government’s Active Travel 4 Fund (ATF4) and a further £162,213 from the Capability Fund 2024.
This follows an initial £175,000 granted to the Council in March 2023 to support the development of schemes in Kendal along the riverside between Stramongate and Nether Bridge, and in Barrow on Duke Street between Ramsden Square and Schneider Square.
Creating new active travel infrastructure is an essential part of the Council’s journey to achieving priorities on climate change, supporting sustainable economic growth and helping our communities to lead active, healthy lives.