Last call for residents' views on 20mph schemes

4 December 2025

News image — New speed limits have been suggested for roads in Eden, South Lakeland and Furness

PA Media A close up of a 20mph speed limit sign. Behind the round sign are leafy trees and another speed limit sign. — New speed limits have been suggested for roads in Eden, South Lakeland and Furness

Residents' views are being sought over new 20mph (32kph) speed limit schemes as a consultation enters its final week.

Westmorland and Furness Council is looking to impose the limits in dozens of areas including Kendal, Cartmel, Ings, Levens and Milnthorpe.

The council said statutory consultation on the plans in South Lakeland would close next Thursday, with the Furness area closing a day later.

Among those already expressing a view, Kendal Cycle Club said the limit would create "safer conditions" on the roads, while resident Peter Davill believed: "It's the right thing to do but it wouldn't work in practice."

Councillor Peter Thornton urged "anyone with an interest who hasn't already to make their views known".

GEOGRAPH / David Dixon Stramondgate in Kendal. It is a town high street with shops and office buildings on each side of the road. There are vans and cars park in the street. The terraced buildings are older in style. — Stramondgate in Kendal is among the proposed 20mph zones

Kendal Cycle Club said the limit would "create safer conditions for people who walk and cycle across the town".

"We see it as a practical step that will help more residents feel confident choosing active travel for everyday journeys," the group added.

But resident George Thom said: "Do people drive at 20mph? No. Does anyone enforce that limit and penalise people who exceed it? No.

"That'll be the case for most of these imposed limits.

"No locally sourced data has been provided, no figures in relation to accidents and no projections for reductions in accidents post 20mph."

Mr Davill described it as "a complicated issue", adding that "slower speeds clearly make a massive difference in an accident when a pedestrian is involved".

However, he had concerns about police being able to enforce the limit.

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