BUS passengers are being urged to have their say on a new traffic-free walkway between Kendal bus station and the Westmorland Shopping Centre.

Temporary barriers have been put up either side of the zebra crossing at level 3 of the multi-storey car park, to make it safer for pedestrians by stopping cars from crossing there.

Kendal and District Bus Users, which campaigns on behalf of passengers, is now hoping the trial traffic-free walkway will be made permanent by South Lakeland District Council.

Bus users' secretary Barbara Colley is now urging people to have their say by contacting SLDC, which runs the car park.

"People with sight difficulties normally would not have attempted that route through between the shopping centre and Stricklandgate because of the element of risk at level 3," said Mrs Colley. "If it's traffic-free they will have the confidence to be able to make that journey."

It was important to make the route between the shopping centre and the bus station "as attractive as possible", she said.

As reported by the Gazette last year, bus company decided to base several services at the bus station, rather than on Stricklandgate, to help ease town centre congestion.

Mrs Colley said that passengers had appreciated the ease of access on Stricklandgate. However, the route through the shopping centre to the bus station was much more challenging, especially for disabled and elderly people.

"The problem that we identified was that the route between Stricklandgate and the bus station is not a very attractive one," she said. "For older people it's physical; there are steps to each of the levels; there's a single small lift but it's basically a very unattractive route. People don't feel encouraged to take it."

SLDC has so far improved signage and inserted 'vision strips' into doors, and is now seeking comments on the temporary walkway. During the trial, motorists cannot exit at level 3 and are being diverted to the level 4 exit.

Email your views to parking.feedback@southlakeland.gov.uk or write to: Walkway consultation, Parking Services, South Lakeland District Council, South Lakeland House, Kendal LA9 4DQ.