EXTENDED speed limits are to be introduced on four South Lakeland roads in a bid to reduce accidents.

Excessive speed has been identified by Cumbria County Council as a contributory factor in incidents on lengths of the A591, A6, A65 and A5284.

To support the authority's casualty reduction targets yesterday's meeting (Jan 31) of the Local Committee for South Lakeland was due to agree speed limit orders at the following locations:

L A591 - proposed 40mph speed limit north of Grasmere between the Traveller's Rest Inn and Knott House Lane. A safety study on the A591 indicated that advisory speed limits on the road north of Grasmere was causing confusion and they are to be removed.

L A6 Shap Road - proposed 30mph and 40mph speed limit between Gillthwaiterigg Lane and the Caravanning Clubs site. The relocation of Kendal Rugby Club on the A6 had led to calls from local people for a reduction of the speed limit along that section.

L A65 at Endmoor - extension of the 30mph speed limit between Sycamore Close and the C5093 Woodside Road.

L A5284 Windermere Road in Kendal - proposing extension of the 30mph speed limit to the 40mph buffer zone. It is due to the recent changing of the land use and characteristics of the road.

Councillors heard that the costs for speed limit signs on the A591 will be met by the Engineering Safety Study allocation at an estimated cost of £500. The cost of the signs to implement the speed limit on the A6 has been met by the rugby club developer's section 278 budget allocation at an estimated cost of £1,000.

Signs for the A65 are estimated to cost £400 and will be met with funds from the highways priorities allocation for Lower Kentdale while the signs, road markings and gateway scheme for the A5284, estimated at £2,600, will be met from the Kendal Strickland and Fell allocation.