A LONG-mooted proposal which would alleviate town centre traffic chaos has taken a major step forward.

The idea of a relief road in Kendal has been debated for decades but had gathered dust before being revived in recent years.

And now the Department for Transport has approved the strategic outline business case for the Kendal Northern Access Route and has supported Cumbria County Council’s funding application for the next stage of proving the worth of the new route.

Issues such as congestion, growth, environmental quality, deliverability and, ultimately, value for money, will all be key considerations.

But one prominent business leader said it would be 'hugely damaging to our globally important local environment'.

It is hoped the route will help unlock development to the north of Kendal and stop traffic driving through the town when cars are diverted after a crash on the M6.

Jonathan Brook, leader of South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), said: “The Northern Access Route has been discussed for the last 40 years, but I think this approval from the government, really is a significant step towards making this road a reality.

"South Lakeland District Council shares with Cumbria County Council a long-standing ambition for the construction of a Kendal Northern Access Route.

“This support is based on this route being identified in the Kendal Strategic Transport Infrastructure Study 2017,as the best option for investment in major road infrastructure in the town.

“SLDC welcomes the approval from the Department for Transport, to move to the Outline Business Case, which will include looking at route options, environmental assessment, public consultation and identification of a preferred route.

“The proposed road will free up road-space in the town centre for walking, cycling and public transport. It is vital that it does so.

“SLDC will engage with CCC to ensure that the sustainable transport benefits of the scheme are fully realised."

Cllr Peter Thornton, deputy leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “Kendal suffers from the amount of traffic which needs to pass through the town centre because of the lack of an alternative route. This northern access route will join the A6 to the A591 and remove much of this traffic.

“It will also provide a safety valve for the large amount of traffic pushed through Kendal when the M6 is closed, which is an increasingly common occurrence.”

MP Tim Farron, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, said it was a 'really positive step forward in a very long-running campaign'.

“A northern relief road would allow us to alleviate congestion in the middle of Kendal, which would not only be good for local businesses but as a result it would create a much nicer town centre for pedestrians and cyclists," he said.

However Mark Cropper, the chairman of James Cropper PLC, located at Burneside Mills, which is located close to the new road, said: “The green gap between Kendal and Burneside will likely be destroyed as the road is very likely to become a new northern development boundary for the town. A new road, will only increase car dependency and the emphasis on out of town living, including working and shopping. This is a generational trend we urgently need to reverse.

"I am also convinced that the issues it is designed to address are exaggerated. The closure of the M6 for a few hours a year and resulting congestion (however bad) is not sufficient justification.

"Congestion is Kendal is frustrating at times and there are risks with bridges in Kendal and two-way flow that need solving, but these can and should be addressed in more localised ways."

"My greatest concern of all is that this project sucks focus and resources from addressing material issues in Kendal Town Centre any time soon. Our high street is on its knees and we desperately need to get more people living, working and visiting in the centre in a sustainable way – as soon as possible.

Kelvin Nash, the principal of Kendal College, can see benefits in the route.

He said: “Looking at it from what I know it would make the traffic through the town easier.

“We have students coming into town from the north and this would help them. It would help get students in and out and it would help in the town centre and the one-way system. In terms of improving the town centre and for our students to get in on bus, it should work well.”

Kevin Price, the parish clerk for Burneside Parish council, said: “Burneside Parish Council is aware of this development for the Northern Relief Road proposal but we have not discussed it at Council yet. It is likely to be the September meeting when the Council discusses this.”

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: ““The proposed new road would support the delivery of future strategic growth in Kendal and improve access to existing employment areas as well as reduce congestion and increase network resilience within the town centre. It would also ensure that, when the M6 is closed between junctions 36 and 39, diverted traffic has an alternative route and won’t need to travel through Kendal town centre.”