KENDAL has not been allocated money to improve cycling and pedestrian infrastructure at one of the town's 'pinch points' due to a 'shortfall' in funding allocated to the county council.

The proposed scheme would have seen new cycle provision along a section of Milnthorpe Road and pedestrian improvements to support access to Kendal College.

However, only £886,000 of Cumbria County Council's (CCC's) £1.436m bid for a share of the Department for Transport's (DfT's) Emergency Active Travel Fund was allocated, meaning only the Barrow-in-Furness element of the council's scheme will go ahead.

However, a CCC spokesman stressed it was 'likely' DfT grant funding would be made available again in future. He said that, were this the case, another Kendal bid would be submitted.

Cllr Giles Archibald, leader of South Lakeland District Council and a Kendal resident, said he was 'naturally disappointed that Kendal missed out this time'.

However, he said he was 'very pleased' for Barrow and 'very grateful to the county council for seeking the funds'.

"We will keep working with partners to improve walking and cycling routes throughout the district. This is a high priority of the district council,” he said.

The proposed scheme for Barrow was valued at £740,000 and the Kendal scheme at £696,000.

The cycle element of the Kendal scheme would have targeted a section of Milnthorpe Road between Romney Road and Kent Park Avenue.

In July, Cumbria was allocated £260,000 to install temporary measures to promote walking and cycling for short journeys.

And the most recent round of DfT funding was aimed at bringing more permanent measures in to cement these changes in behaviour.

The CCC spokesman said: "The funding allocated leaves a shortfall - so in line with the Barrow scheme being the strongest out of the two, the council will only be able to proceed with this scheme.

"Barrow proposals can be done in full with the money received, and are considered to deliver greater benefit to traffic/road safety/promotion of accessible walking and cycle lanes."

Cllr Keith Little, CCC's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Whilst it is of course disappointing to not have received sufficient funding to progress schemes for both Barrow and Kendal, it is encouraging to see the level of support and ambition for improved cycling and walking infrastructure across the county and that the Government has confidence in the council to implement these changes.

“Now we have the funding secured we will work closely with residents, businesses, community groups, and disability groups and other key representatives to further consult upon the proposed scheme before any work begins.”