Kendal Relief Road Plan Misses Out On Government Funding
Kendal’s proposed northern relief road has missed out on Government funding, leaving the council seeking answers over the decision.
Westmorland and Furness Council has expressed disappointment after the Government confirmed that the Kendal Northern Access Route would not be included in its road and rail investment programme. The proposed single-carriageway road was intended to connect the A591 and A6 to the north of the town, helping reduce congestion, improve air quality and support economic growth. Council leaders have confirmed that the project remains a long-term ambition and that they want to meet the Department for Transport to challenge the decision.
The planned route was designed to provide an alternative connection around the northern side of Kendal, reducing pressure on roads through the town centre. Supporters argue that the scheme could improve journeys for residents, visitors and businesses while helping make the local road network more reliable. The proposal was also intended to improve access to employment areas and provide another option for traffic travelling between the A591 and A6. However, the scheme will not proceed as part of the Government’s current investment programme.
One of the main arguments in favour of the route concerns the congestion that occurs when the M6 motorway is closed. During motorway incidents, diverted traffic can be directed through Kendal, placing additional pressure on roads that already carry local and through traffic. A northern access route could provide greater resilience by improving the options available to drivers when the motorway is disrupted. The council believes that strengthening the network would help reduce the impact of these incidents on the town and surrounding communities.
Air quality has also been a key consideration in the case for the proposed road. Heavy traffic moving through a historic town centre can create environmental and practical challenges, particularly when vehicles are delayed or forced to queue. Supporters of the scheme believe that reducing congestion could improve conditions for people living, working and travelling in Kendal. The council has also argued that improved road access could support economic development by making it easier for businesses and employees to reach important destinations.
Councillor Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT, described the Government’s decision as extremely disappointing. He said the Northern Access Route would have strengthened transport resilience, particularly when traffic was diverted from the M6 through Kendal. Thornton also highlighted the potential improvements to congestion and air quality, arguing that the town faces difficulties managing modern traffic volumes within its historic setting. His comments reflected the council’s view that the scheme could deliver benefits beyond simply providing another road.
The council has requested a meeting with the Department for Transport to challenge the reasons behind the decision. Thornton said the authority had noted that the Government had indicated the scheme could still be considered in the future, despite its exclusion from the current programme. The proposed meeting is intended to give council representatives an opportunity to seek clarification and make the case for the project again. No confirmation has been provided that the meeting will lead to a change in the funding decision.
The Government’s decision forms part of its wider approach to prioritising road and rail investment amid financial constraints. Ministers have indicated that difficult choices have been necessary and that funding must be directed towards schemes considered affordable and capable of delivering benefits for taxpayers. The exclusion of the Kendal project means it has not secured a place in the current investment programme, although the council has emphasised that this does not necessarily rule out future consideration.
The decision has prompted concern among people who believe a relief road is needed to address Kendal’s long-standing traffic pressures. Congestion can affect daily journeys, business activity and access through the town, while motorway closures can create additional disruption when traffic is diverted onto local roads. Supporters of the route argue that a dedicated connection to the north could help manage these pressures. However, the scheme’s future will depend on whether further discussions can change the Government’s position or identify another route to progress.
Despite the setback, Westmorland and Furness Council says it remains committed to improving transport links across the area. Thornton highlighted other projects, including the Grizebeck scheme, dualling the A66, support for bus services and active travel initiatives. These projects form part of the authority’s wider efforts to improve transport reliability and accessibility. The council also intends to continue working with partners, including Kendal Futures, to explore ways of strengthening the town’s transport network.
The Kendal Northern Access Route has been presented as a potential long-term solution to several transport challenges, rather than a response to a single congestion problem. Its proposed benefits include improved connections between major roads, better access to employment areas and greater resilience during motorway closures. The council’s position is that these improvements could contribute to the town’s economic development while reducing the pressure on its historic centre. With the scheme excluded from the current programme, those potential benefits remain unrealised.
For residents and businesses, the immediate position is that the relief road has not received a place in the Government’s investment plans. The council’s request for discussions with the Department for Transport represents its next step in seeking to understand and challenge the decision. Whether the scheme can be reconsidered in the future remains uncertain, and no new funding commitment has been announced. The authority has nevertheless maintained that improving transport resilience in Kendal remains an important objective.
The outcome leaves the council facing the challenge of pursuing its transport priorities without the expected Government support for the proposed route. Further discussions may provide more detail about the reasons for the decision and whether alternative opportunities exist to progress the project. In the meantime, the authority says it will continue working with partners on transport improvements across Westmorland and Furness, while keeping the Kendal Northern Access Route as a long-term aspiration.
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