Government excludes Kendal relief road from transport investment plans

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

The government has excluded the Kendal Northern Access Route from its latest transport investment programme.

Westmorland and Furness Council has expressed disappointment after the government confirmed the Kendal Northern Access Route (KNAR) will not be included in its latest road and rail investment programme. The council said it would seek further discussions with the Department for Transport after the long-awaited scheme was excluded from the government's plans.

Councillor Peter Thornton, the council's cabinet member for highways and ICT, described the decision as 'extremely disappointing' but insisted the council remained committed to delivering improvements to Kendal's transport network. He said the relief road would have strengthened the resilience of the transport network, especially when traffic is diverted off the M6 through Kendal, and would have reduced congestion and improved air quality in the historic town.

The council argues the new road would have improved traffic flow through the town and eased pressure on routes that often become gridlocked when incidents on the M6 force motorists through Kendal. Councillor Thornton noted that the minister said the decision does not prevent the scheme from being considered in the future. The proposed single-carriageway road would link the A591 and the A6 to the north of Kendal and would support economic growth by providing better access to employment sites.

How it is being reported

• Council 'extremely disappointed' after relief road left out of government plansWestmorland and Furness Council is seeking talks with the Government after Kendal Northern Access Route was excluded from its latest transport investment plans.Westmorland Gazette · 12 Oct, 16:20
• Council 'extremely disappointed' after relief road left out of government plansWestmorland and Furness Council is seeking talks with the Government after Kendal Northern Access Route was excluded from its latest transport investment plans.NW Evening Mail · 12 Oct, 16:20

In this story: Westmorland and Furness Council · Department for Transport · Kendal · Peter Thornton

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