A long and winding road… walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders have their say in South Cumbria

29 May 2025

The Lake District is a popular place to leave the car behind and take advantage of walking, riding, cycling or wheeling – however this isn’t without its challenges. 

In a new report published today by the road user watchdog Transport Focus, users of one area of the National Park have highlighted issues they face when stepping out of the car.

The new Walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders report produced in partnership with National Highways, has specifically focussed on the A590 area in South Cumbria. It has highlighted the need to improve the quality and how joined up some of the key spaces are near this busy ‘A’ road. More importantly, it provides a starting point for potential improvements, as well as highlighting some of the positives on the route.

What do users want to see improved?

• Improvements are needed to the consistency, quality and provision of footpaths and crossings without signals.

• Changes to narrow vehicle lanes present hazards for cyclists when travelling on the A590, particularly when navigating junctions, making it only possible for very confident or experienced cyclists.

• The A590 intersects a range of bridleways and nature reserves, but horse riding along or crossing the A590 is challenging due to high levels of traffic and noise pollution which frighten horses.
• Concerns about speeding vehicles and visibility with a lack of usable alternatives to detour away from the A590. Some of the alternatives were described as enjoyable but had challenging gradients, were less direct, or poorly maintained.

What are the positives?

• Users said the A590 was more direct, a level gradient and appeared to be better maintained than many smaller, alternative side roads – with fewer potholes and better lines of sight.

• A marked part of the carriageway and a wide road layout offer a safe buffer for cyclists compared to heavy traffic routes on narrower sections.

• Cyclists and walkers also noted that National Highways had made changes to the speed limits which was viewed positively.

• Frequently described as pleasant detours were connections to the National Cycle Network and other active travel routes including the disused railway path between Greenodd and Haverthwaite.

Louise Collins, Director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus said: 

“It’s important to remember that National Highways roads aren’t just for cars and lorries. Through this work we are highlighting the issues that different types of users in Cumbria can face.

“We’ve made a range of recommendations for improvement including installing signals for crossings at high-risk areas such as bus stops and looking at how to keep people connected with some simple new footways.

“We are working closely with National Highways to help it use the findings and drive positive change for all road users.”

Amy Williams, National Highways Director for the North West region said:  

“We seek to encourage healthy, sustainable, and safe travel for walkers, cyclists and horse riders through the routes we maintain and facilities we deliver.

“We have made good progress delivering new and enhanced facilities for people using non-motorised transport in the Northwest. We know there is still more to do, and we welcome Transport Focus’s research and support to help us to continue to deliver for all road users.”

Recommendations from Transport Focus

The locations along the A590 included in this research included Ulverston, Greenodd, Staveley in Cartmel and Levens and the following enhancements have been suggested by walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders to improve their experience and safety:

• Where budget and land use allow, extend and maintain the disused railway path that connects to Greenodd Crossing, taking it the full length of the A590, to create an alternative route which would encourage active travel in the area.

• Construction of a short section of off-road cycleway on the north side of the A590, from the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway to Backbarrow Road.

• Develop and install a footway between Newby Bridge Roundabout and the Shell garage to provide safer access for walkers.

• Introduce and maintain the quiet lanes which approximately follow the A590 alignment on both sides of the road – for example Heather’s Lane near to Gilpin Bridge Inn. It is noted that these changes would be difficult due to constraints with road alignment and budget.
• Install signalised crossings at high-risk areas (for example at bus stops) along the route.

This area of the Lake District provides a great opportunity to get people out of the car and use other modes of transport. Transport Focus will continue to work with National Highways to improve connectivity and make things safer for walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Transport Focus: We are the voice of Britain’s transport users. We listen to the public and find out their experience of using, or trying to use, Britain’s railways and England’s buses, coaches, trams and motorways and major ‘A’ roads.  We protect the interests and champion the needs of all transport users today and ensure they’re at the centre of tomorrow’s policy decisions and future investment.

i. Across England, National Highways manages almost 900 miles of footways, cycle tracks, and shared paths. The A590 in South Cumbria is a significant part of the 530-mile Strategic Road Network in north-west England, covering 28 miles. In this study we considered a considerable stretch of the A590 between the A591 near to Sizergh. down to the end of the National Highways’ route at Park Road in Barrow-in-Furness.

ii. The A590 in South Cumbria is the seventh area Transport Focus has assessed from the perspective of walkers, wheelers, cyclists, and horse riders.

iii. While the length of the road was considered, the research mainly focussed on the experiences of walkers, wheelers, cyclists and horse-riders at the following locations along the A590:

1. Ulverston Centre.
2. Greenodd.
3. Haverthwaite.
4. Newby Bridge;
5. Gilpin Bridge Inn

Download a copy of the report here

 Media contact: Colette Gill, Senior Communications Officer, Colette.gill@transportfocus.org.uk  0300 123 2170