A one-way system for all traffic is to be introduced this summer on a notoriously dangerous route through Keswick town centre to be paid for by emergency coronavirus funding.
Vehicles will only be able to travel along Station Street and St John Street in one direction from Penrith Road as far as Church Street for an experimental period of up to six months in a move largely aimed at protecting pedestrians as lockdown is gradually eased.
Narrow pavements at pinch-points like outside The George pub can already often force pedestrians to step into the road and the problem has worsened with social distancing rules as people try to keep two metres apart.
The Government has made millions of pounds available to local highways authorities throughout the country, including Cumbria County Council, to carry out emergency work to ease such problems during the coronavirus crisis. The Keswick scheme had already been flagged up by the local town council after a high-profile campaign led by Tim Fisher, who runs the Northern Lights gallery in St John Street.
Keswick councillors tonight (Thursday 11th June) voted unanimously to support introducing the one-way system after discussing it via a Zoom meeting. Their recommendation is now expected to be accepted by the county council.
With emergency powers and funding to match, the one-way system can be introduced swiftly, cutting through all the red tape that can result in such changes taking months or even years to implement.
Mr Fisher, who took part in the Zoom meeting, thanked councillors for their support immediately after the vote. He was congratulated by Keswick mayor Cllr Paul Titley, who said: “Put the champagne on ice!”
Councillors had rejected two other options – a one-way system in the other direction along the same route and also reversing Southey Street’s one-way traffic to tie in with approved change.
Cllr Tony Lywood, Keswick county council representative, said the agreed change was a “temporary, extraordinary measure.” Cllr Lywood forecast that the changes could be implemented “within two maximum three weeks.”
Councillors accepted that the new system could create some problems in other roads, particularly Church Street. Local resident Bruce Brookes-Tee, who took part in the meeting, warned: “You are going to have carnage around there.”
Cllr Titley accepted the change was not a panacea but countered: “We can’t wait for someone to be knocked over and killed at that pinch-point in St John Street.”
Introducing the scheme is unlikely to be expensive as only minimal changes are expected to be required, including widening pavements and installing traffic barriers along with new signs and road markings
With the one-way system offered as a trial scheme during the coronavirus crisis, Cllr Markus Campbell-Savours said it was a “no brainer” to adopt it. “We have an option here to try before we buy,” he said.
