Where are Kendal's worst footpaths? Repair bid launched

The project has gathered momentum after a meeting of Kendal Town Council’s Environment and Highways Committee, at which Liberal Democrat Chair Eamonn Hennessy and Vice Chair Giles Archibald put forward a proposal to allocate £12,000 to fund a comprehensive audit of local footpaths.

Councillor Archibald said: "Kirkbarrow is a good example of the importance of improved footpaths, where children are often using them to go to school.

"They are frequently through wooded areas, and the paths are rough, overgrown and very slippery.

"The path in the photograph taken is just off Vicarage Drive, and you can see that it is not in good condition - it is next to a play area and a lot of people use it as a shortcut."

£15,000 has already been earmarked towards improving footpaths around Kirkbarrow, but Cllr Archibald maintains that other areas of Kendal are also in dire need of attention:

"For example, I had a walk around the Hallgarth area with the local Residents' Association and a lot of footpaths there are really not in a good state of repair.

The audit being proposed will examine the existing network of footpaths in Kendal, assess their current condition and find out who uses them and what for.

Councillor Hennessy said: "“From kids walking to school, to residents walking to shops in the town centre, our footpaths are so important to connecting Kendal.

“Sadly many of them are not fit for purpose, which is why we as Liberal Democrat councillors are launching this campaign to fund upgrades and improvements to local footpaths.”

Cllr Archibald added: "“We want to encourage active travel.

“We want to make it easier, safer and more attractive for people to walk around our town whether they are residents or visitors.

“We're proud of our town and want it to look the best it can.”

Liberal Democrat councillors will be surveying Kendal residents in the coming weeks to find out which paths could do with being fixed and enhanced.