KENDAL is bracing itself for motoring confusion as the wraps finally come off the town's controversial new traffic system at the weekend.

Extra police will be drafted in and a plethora of signs and cones will be deployed to help drivers navigate their way around the unfamiliar town centre road layout with its bewildering array of additional traffic lights and crossings.

Although the big switch over takes place at 9am on Sunday it is anticipated that the crunch time will be rush hour on Monday when travel-to-work drivers and parents trying to complete the school run come together.

Many Kendalians are expected to make practice runs on Sunday to get used to the new traffic flows which will see vehicles travelling two-way along Sandes Avenue, Blackhall Road and New Road and cars going down Lowther Street instead of up.