New 20mph Speed Limits Proposed Across Five Barrow Wards
New 20mph speed limits could be introduced on roads across five Barrow wards under the latest plans from Westmorland and Furness Council.
The proposed limits would cover residential roads around seven schools in Barrow and on Walney. A statutory consultation is now open, giving residents until Friday, 4 September 2026 to submit comments or objections.
Which areas are included?
The proposals would introduce new 20mph limits in the following areas:
- Hawcoat and Newbarns – around Greengate Junior School, Holy Family Catholic Primary School and St Bernard’s Catholic High School
- Old Barrow and Hindpool – around Barrow Island Community Primary School
- Ormsgill and Parkside – around Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School
- Risedale and Roosecote – around Yarlside Primary School
- Walney Island – around South Walney Infant School
Existing 30mph restrictions would be removed from affected sections of road and replaced with the lower limit if the Traffic Regulation Order is approved.
Roads affected by the Barrow proposals
Dozens of residential roads are included within the plans.
Around Greengate Junior School and Holy Family Catholic Primary School, the proposed limits would cover roads including Greengates Avenue, Rating Lane, Dorcas Avenue, Hector Street and the Croslands Park estate.
The scheme near St Bernard’s Catholic High School includes Tennyson Avenue, Chaucer Way, Shelley Drive, Keats Close, Burns Avenue and several nearby cul-de-sacs.
On Barrow Island, the proposed zone includes Buxton Street, Dunbar Street, Dundalk Street, Dundee Street, Farm Street, Rothesay Street and part of Island Road.
A much larger group of roads is included around Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School. These include Mill Bank, Middlefield, Ormsgill Lane, Schneider Road, Bradford Street, Chester Street, Sowerby Avenue and several surrounding residential streets.
The proposals around Yarlside Primary School cover sections of Yarlside Road and roads throughout the nearby estate. These include Holbeck Park Avenue, Appletree Drive, Balmoral Drive, Redoak Avenue, Whitebeam Gardens and a number of smaller closes and drives.
On South Walney, the proposed 20mph zone would include part of Ocean Road alongside streets such as Mikasa Street, Dominion Street, King Alfred Street, Vengeance Street, Strathaird Avenue and Strathmore Avenue.
Why are the lower limits being proposed?
Westmorland and Furness Council said its 20mph programme is intended to create safer roads, particularly around schools and residential communities.
The authority believes lower limits can reduce the danger faced by pedestrians and cyclists while making it more appealing for people to walk or cycle. It also says travelling at more consistent, lower speeds may help reduce traffic noise and air pollution.
These schemes have not yet received final approval. Changes to speed limits must go through the Traffic Regulation Order process, which includes a statutory consultation and consideration of any representations received.
How to comment on the plans
Residents can submit comments or objections by emailing 20mph@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or writing to the 20mph Project Team at South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ.
Responses should quote the reference 20mph/2026/Stat.Con/Furness and must be received by Friday, 4 September 2026.
Plans showing the precise sections of road affected are available through the Westmorland and Furness Council consultation page. Paper copies can also be viewed at Barrow Library and Walney Library.
