I have been asked to post this on the KDCS website to highlight proposed changes to traffic along Queens Road, High Tenterfell, Greenside and Serpentine Road...
Dear Neighbour,
I am sure you have recently received a letter from Westmorland and Furness Council notifying you that they are proposing to revoke the current 7.5 tonne weight restriction currently in place on Greenside, Tenterfell and Serpentine Road for all vehicles.
This means in effect that all HGV and Artic lorries will be able to drive along Queens Road, High Tenterfell, Serpentine Road, and Greenside. This is an unacceptable solution to the issue of weight restrictions on the Underbarrow and Brigsteer bridges over the by pass and a different solution must be sought.
If you have not received a letter outlining their proposal you can get a copy by emailing TROconsultation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or on the council’s website or at Kendal town hall.
In consultation with a number of residents we have strong objections to the proposal on the following grounds;
- The area hosts 2 children’s nurseries at Brantfield on Queens Road and Sunny Brow on Greenside that will both be affected detrimentally from a safety point of view. Parking outside Brantfield will be especially problematic to HGVs.
- The roads affected are all residential and have resident parking on both sides of the road where wide enough and one side where the roads are narrower. Vehicles already have to stop to let cars pass where they are narrow, especially on Queens Road by Dog Kennel Woods and Tenterfell. Large HGV lorries will cause an unacceptable hazard in these areas.
- There are large trees on Queens Road and Tenterfell protected within the conservation area that would pose a threat to HGVs and Artic lorries safely manoeuvring round the trees especially where the road is narrower.
- HGVs and Artic lorries would be too large for these residential roads (presumably why they are currently banned over 7.5 tonnes). The road width and radius of the bends are not up to the standard or safety needed by heavy vehicles.
- There is road calming on Queens Road and a 20mph speed limit that is not adhered to now by all traffic. It is used as a cut through and HGV lorries would increase the risk and danger of accidents.
- There would be the issue of increased noise and vibrations and increased air pollution. There would be increased emissions from the diesel fuel of HGV vehicles, resulting in higher concentrations of CO2, nitrous oxides and particulates which have been proven to have a harmful effect on children and the elderly.
- Access to Alphabet Wood and Serpentine Wood, promoted by the council for children and families is on a blind bend on Queens Road. Having HGV lorries on the road would pose a danger to families entering and leaving the popular woodland. There is no pavement at all by the entry to the woods.
- The Windermere Road end of Queens Road has 2 tight bends which are unsuitable for HGV and articulated lorries to negotiate. The public bus has problems negotiating the tight bends.
- There is extremely poor pedestrian access on the footpath at the top of Serpentine Road where it meets Queens Road opposite Serpentine cottage. The footpath at the bottom of Queens Road at the junction with Windermere Road is also very poor, especially for pedestrians with children and buggies. Adding large HGVs to the traffic on these roads would prove hazardous.
- The junction of Tenterfell and Greenside and Queens Road with Windermere Road are both crossroad junctions and already the site of many accidents. HGVs would find both junctions restricted views and manoeuvrability very difficult and potentially dangerous. The junctions would require wider space than is currently available to manoeuvre both left and right out of the junctions, causing further disruption to the already congested flow into town. Their size will also cause visibility issues and increase the risk of accidents to both vehicles and pedestrians.
The reasons cited for the proposal to revoke the current 7.5 limit on HGV and Articulated lorries would not be met.
A. For preventing danger. There would be an increased danger to children and pedestrians especially when using the nurseries.
B. Preventing damage to roads and buildings. Heavy lorries would cause damage to residential roads and local housing.
C. Preventing using the road by vehicles which are unsuitable due to the existing character of the road. HGV and Artic lorries would definitely be unsuitable having regard to the existing character of the residential roads affected in the council’s proposal.
There are other solutions which should be considered and implemented, namely reinforcing the 2 bridges or constructing access to the bypass via a slip road.
If you wish to object to this proposal by the council we only have to the 25 September to submit our objections. You need to write to the
Traffic Management Team, South Lakeland, House, Lowther Street, Kendal LA9 4DQ
or by email to TROconsultation@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
BY 25TH SEPTEMBER
Please mark your correspondence with reference SL-TR-2023-002/EU
Thank you for your time in reading this letter and if you object to the proposal please contact the council by 25th SEPTEMBER adding any objections you may have.
