Councillors have made a speed limit change permanent on a busy road in Keswick, encouraging cycling and moderating speeds into a popular tourist town.
Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Allerdale has voted to permanently change the B5289 at High Hill in Keswick to a 40 mile per hour zone.
The change has been in place on the key gateway to Keswick on a temporary basis to promote the use of new cycle lanes and the council has moved to make it a permanent arrangement.
Traffic management team leader Steph Davis-Johnston presented the recommendation to councillors at a meeting of the committee on Friday.
She said: “We have received one response in relation to the Keswick proposal which was from the Lake District National Park Authority supporting the proposals.”
Councillors unanimously agreed with the recommendation to make the 40 mile per hour speed limit permanent as well as a 30 mile per hour limit at C2054 Branthwaite Road.
Although not present at the meeting, councillor for Keswick Tony Lywood has backed the proposal.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the speed of cars entering the town is an issue as cars enter Keswick from the A66, a national speed limit road.
Councillor Lywood said: “I support these speed limits. These changes are fluid and can be reversed if they are seen not to work.
“In terms of making the one way system in Station Street and St John’s Street permanent, I think this is a good move and I wish to see the permanent no entry signs up as soon as possible as the temporary ones are really not a good thing for the town.”
Parents have previously raised concerns about the speed of vehicles entering Keswick from the A66, launching a petition for a school crossing.
