Tim Farron frustrated by no decision on Kendal relief road

Tim Farron, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, spoke after the original deadline for the government’s decision on major road improvement projects like KNAR, previously understood to be the end of the year, has passed.

The House of Commons is now in recess until January 5 and no major government policy announcements, such as a potential decision on KNAR, are typically made during such periods.

Mr Farron, a strong advocate for the KNAR, has spoken to The Gazette about the delay.

Mr Farron said: “It's frustrating that the government has failed to confirm support for the Kendal Northern Access Route.

“However, I'm pleased that the scheme is at least still on the table as a possibility.

"With the extensive road works on the M6 around Junction 38, Kendal will find itself clogged with motorway traffic more often, causing appalling chaos.

“Now is the time to make this investment, which will relieve pressure from Kendal's roads, boost Kendal's economy, and improve Kendal's air quality.”

When asked about the status of the KNAR, the Department for Transport (DfT) said: “We are committed to delivering transport infrastructure that will boost growth and opportunity across the whole country, as part of our Plan for Change.

“The Kendal Northern Access Route is one of the schemes under review and a decision will be shared in due course.”

The proposed KNAR would link the A591 Windermere Road to the A6 Shap Road north of Kendal.

The potential project’s aim is to relieve traffic congestion in the town of Kendal.

The KNAR was identified to have the potential to reduce congestion in the town in the Kendal Strategic Transport Infrastructure Study which was completed in 2017 by the former Cumbria County Council.

However, the concept of the relief road has been in discussion by former councils for decades, but action on the idea has been slow moving ever since the county council designated it as a 'priority' in its Local Transport Plan 2006-11.