Campaigners hoping to have speed limits slashed across the county met online for the first time.

A dozen supporters from across south Cumbria heard how they could lobby councillors and raise awareness of speeding on the county's roads, with the ultimate goal of promoting 20mph speed limits in Cumbria.

At the online meeting, Paul Holdsworth, who is leading the 20’s Plenty for Cumbria campaign, said: “Kendal is getting very close to becoming Cumbria’s first 20mph town.

“Because Cumbria County Council, which is responsible for most of our roads network, has no defined policy on wide area 20mph limits, all the progress so far has been down to the hard work of Kendal Town Council, which is determined to deliver this popular initiative to improve safety, reduce congestion and encourage active travel.

“But after years of campaigning it is clear that this piecemeal approach is slow, inefficient and unnecessarily costly.

“It is now time for Cumbria County Council to address this issue properly.

“The council needs a clear policy to ensure communities right across the county can benefit from wide area 20 limits.

“So, we are starting a new campaign – 20’s Plenty for Cumbria – and we’re determined to ensure all Cumbrians can benefit from cleaner, quieter, safer streets.

“We need 20mph limits where we live, work, learn, shop and play – not just here in Kendal, but in all our communities.”

National 20’s Plenty for Us campaign lead Anna Semlyen also spoke at the meeting.

She said: “I’m happy to see that Cumbrian campaigners are working together to lobby the county councillors and police and crime commissioner for 20mph to be normal.

“21 million people in the UK live where 20mph is the default speed for the vast majority of urban and village roads.

“Cumbrians and tourists want 20mph for a better quality of life.

"It's popular, healthier, cleaner and more sustainable than the outdated 30mph, which is not fit for purpose.

“The Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, is backing 20’s Plenty for Cumbria and has done a selfie poster pledge.

“So, I ask you to please ask your elected representatives to back it too.”

Rod King MBE, the founder and campaign director of the 20’s Plenty group, also hopes the forum that was advertised through Kendal Town Council's website will gather momentum.