Evolve Penrith, who worked to gather support for the initiative, expressed their satisfaction at finally seeing an update on the matter. The group's virtual meetings with residents in 2020 revealed widespread unease regarding speeding vehicles in residential areas and the need for safer pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.
In 2021, Evolve Penrith collaborated with residents and local businesses to conduct a public survey, which showed overwhelming support for a Penrith wide 20mph zone.
In June 2021 former town councillor Jonathan Davies took forward the proposal and presented a motion to Penrith Town Council that was seconded by former town councillor Margaret Clark, calling on the former Cumbria County Council to work to create a 20mph zone for Penrith. The motion was approved with only a few councillor’s at the time opting not to support the motion, it received support and approval from the majority of the town council in 2021.
Despite obstacles with the proposal due to local government reorganisation and Penrith Town Council officers updating the town council members in 2022, that plans would not be progressed on a Penrith 20mph speed zone, Evolve Penrith said “ It had remained committed to championing the issue raised by the local community and maintained active engagement with the highways authority over the past two years to ensure the proposal was not forgotten.”
Today's update delivered to the Penrith Town Council planning committee brought positive news for the proposal. It was revealed that Cumbria highways, now replaced by Westmorland and Furness highways following the local government reorganisation is April, Had taken up the proposal and is actively working towards developing a new 20mph policy. A recommendation to approve the development of a new 20mph policy is expected by the new Westmorland and Furness council Cabinet Highways and Transport Strategic Board tomorrow Tuesday June 6th at a meeting taking place at Barrow Town Hall.
Evolve Penrith expressed their optimism following the update given to the town council planning committee today, stating, "It's good to hear that plans for a 20mph zone for Penrith are a step closer. Evolve Penrith have maintained engagement with the former Cumbria Highways over the last two years, to ensure that the proposal was not lost in the local government reorganisation process. Implementing a unified speed limit across the town will address the current issues caused by varying speed limits and hopefully help address traffic flow issues around the town as another positive outcome."
“While we recognise the town council does not possess the authority to introduce the required 20mph zones the support in 2021 of the motion calling for a 20mph zone, with todays update signifies a significant milestone in the progression of the proposal.”
“A 20mph zone would not only ensure safer streets for all residents but also encourage active travel options, such as walking and cycling, by creating an environment more conducive to alternative modes of travel and help lower pollution in the town with parts of Penrith suffering from concentrated areas of higher pollution levels.”
Town council members today also used the opportunity of todays meeting and the 20mph update to raise other traffic concerns including speeding in areas of the town with Cllr Snell and Cllr Thomson raising issues of speeding in Penrith West along Norfolk Road and Greystoke Road as well as dangers at mini roundabouts in Castletown and Townhead.
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
