Answers About the Windermere Roadworks
Despite plenty of publicity for the Windermere Enhancement Scheme, there are many people who still have questions to ask. So here we go ‘Back to Basics’, with some frequently asked questions:
Is Crescent Road being pedestrianised? No. The pavements will be wider, and access improved for everyone, including wheelchair users and blind people. But traffic will be able to use Crescent Road as before.
Is free on-street parking being retained? Yes. The amount of free on-street parking in the centre of the village will be the same as before, although it will be positioned slightly differently.
Will College Road be the main northbound route through the village? No. College Road is being used temporarily for northbound traffic while the works are underway. Once the work is done, Main Road will be the main northbound route through the village as before.
So will any traffic movement through the village be different? No – all the traffic movement in the village will be the same as before, apart from a new mini-roundabout at the bottom of Victoria Street, outside The Lighthouse.
What’s the point of the new mini-roundabout? This will make it possible for traffic from Booths car park to get back onto the A591 without clogging up Crescent Road and Main Road – they will be able to turn right at the bottom of Victoria Street and leave on Elleray Road or back up High Street.
Will there be sleeping policemen on Crescent Road? No – there will be no traffic calming on Crescent Road, although the slightly narrower carriageway will encourage motorists to drive more carefully. And all our Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers in Windermere are wide awake and very approachable – so please smile and say hello!
What’s happening over Easter? The plan is to minimise disruption over the Easter break, by reopening Crescent Road to traffic from March 21 to March 30. Some pedestrian barriers will have to remain, to keep things safe.
What is the point in changing the A591 junction, without putting in a roundabout? The changes to this junction will make it easier and safer to use, by improving sightlines and reducing excessive speed through the junction.
When will the work be finished? We just don’t know for certain – bad weather, emergency utility works, problems with raw materials delivery and a hundred-and-one other issues make it difficult to be absolutely certain when the work will be finished.
Come on, you must have an idea when the work will be over! Hopefully the work will be finished in May - but the worst of the disruption could be over before then, as the finishing touches of new benches, planters and lighting should be installed without too much aggravation.
How can I find out more? Contact the Town Centre Manager (Paul Holdsworth, 015394 40021) or Alfred McAlpine’s Public Liaison Officer (Ian Goss, 07786 110658).