Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Kendal Access Road scheme has entered the Road Improvement Strategy (a) programme and (b) development stage; whether formal approvals have been granted; and whether it will progress into the next strategy phase.

The Kendal Northern Access Route scheme is being promoted by Westmoreland and Furness Council (the Council) for consideration for potential funding as part of the Department’s Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors (MRN/ LLM) programme. It would not form part of the Government's Road Investment Strategy.

The Council are currently developing an Outline Business Case (OBC) for the scheme for submission to the Department for a decision on whether to approve it and provide conditional support for the scheme as part of the MRN/ LLM programme.

The latest scheme cost estimate and completion date provided to the Department are £185.3million and July 2027 respectively. However, my officials understand that the Council is considering the scope of the proposals that will be put forward in the OBC, which is expected to be submitted to the Department this year. Therefore, the cost estimate and completion date may change.