Highgate £340,000 improvement starts in September

Joint News Release with Cumbria County Council

14 August 2012

A £340,000 improvement of Kendal’s Highgate is to start in September

Called Kendal - Gateway to the Lakes Public Realm Project, the next phase of the improvement project will start work on 3 September. The project was developed by Kendal Futures with grants from South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council and Kendal Town Council.

The project was brought about following concerns raised by businesses over the poor state of Highgate and the desire to encourage more residents to shop locally. Highgate will benefit from new paving, heritage lighting, new benches and bins and new planting schemes. The project will also complete the high quality pedestrian link from K Village through the recently upgraded Kirkland into the town centre.

High quality streetscape and enhanced outdoor areas will encourage residents and visitors to explore the town on foot and enjoy the many shops and popular key attractions along the route such as Abbot Hall Art Gallery and the Brewery Arts Centre.

Cllr Ian Stewart, South Lakeland District Council Portfolio Holder for Economy and Enterprise, said: “The continued improvements for Highgate will see the area rejuvenated and hopefully increase the number of shoppers. This is vital for the economy of the area and is another successful project for those organisations involved in bringing this scheme together.”

The project also includes a small build out area for market stalls and for outdoor events such as Mintfest. This improvement stems from previous space restrictions which meant Highgate not benefitting from town centre events in the past. There will also be increased crossing points for pedestrians including a new diagonal crossing outside the Town Hall, a first in Cumbria. The new crossing will make it easier for people to access both sides of the street and reduce waiting times.

Cllr Geoff Cook, Chair of Cumbria County Council’s South Lakeland Local Committee and County Councillor for Kendal Highgate, said: “Highgate is home to many shops and businesses and forms a vital part of the towns economy. We have worked hard to minimise any disruption as the works are taking place and once complete the benefits will be huge. This is going to have a big impact on the look and condition of Highgate which will encourage more people into this part of Kendal.”

The Highgate Improvement Scheme contract has been awarded to Cumbrian firm Thomas Armstrong, who are currently in Kendal working on the Kent View housing development in Kirkland. A meeting with the new contractors and affected businesses will be held within the next couple of weeks.

The improvement work will last nine weeks and should be completed in time for the Remembrance Sunday parade and the Christmas Lights switch on. Further details on the works programme will be published towards the end of August. A traffic management plan will be drawn up to keep disruption to an absolute minimum and temporary loading bays will be available to traders throughout the works. Weekly updates will also be provided on www.southlakeland.gov.uk/highgate

For further details please contact John Bath, Highways Engineer, on 01539 713040.