PEDESTRIANISATION and reduced car emissions could increase footfall in a Furness market town, campaigners have argued.

The Clean Air Ulverston group is calling on South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) to use existing powers to impose £20 fines on motorists sitting in their cars with their engines idling. The fines would be issued by SLDC traffic wardens.

It is also calling for the pedestrianisation of part of the town centre and the introduction of 20mph speed limits and introducing ‘walking buses’ for school children.

Addressing South Lakeland District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee, Peter Needham, a member of Clean Air Ulverston, said: “It is our responsibility to prioritise the health and wellbeing of the people of South Lakeland. This work is indeed essential and urgent.

“On the issue of pedestrianisation, understandably controversial and complex, studies suggest that it increases footfall, thereby increasing the use of high street shops.”

The Clear Air Ulverston objectives were being considered by the SLDC committee as part of the council’s 2018/2019 work programme

The programme is designed to ensure that the overview and scrutiny committee is able to focus on the areas where it is likely to add the most value. It can do this through its formal meetings, one-day reviews or through the work of task and finish groups.

Cllr Nick Cotton said that he was a ‘real fan of walking buses’.

“It encourages children to get to school rather than being driven by their parents to the school gates,” he said. “I think something like that really is one where we could get absolute agreement. Getting more children to travel to school by foot, bike and public transport is one to promote.”

The committee discussed the council’s health and wellbeing priority, agreeing that a wide-reaching approach such as the one that it had taken towards tackling poverty should be considered. This would include action on climate change and addiction and would allow the committee to tackle the issues in ‘chunks’.

“I think potentially it could be very big and it could have a lot of impact,” said Cllr Dyan Jones.

The Clean Air Ulverston group has set up a petition for those wishing to support its proposals, which has so far been signed by more than 150 people.