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Westmorland and Furness Council has appointed consultants Mott MacDonald to draw up a concept masterplan for the Windermere station area, to create a transformational welcome to the Lake District by improving the station, its surroundings and facilities.
This work will build on the Windermere Gateway Transport Infrastructure SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) adopted by the Lake District National Park Authority in 2021 and be used as a key focus for securing investment for the proposed upgrades.
The scheme is part of the Windermere Gateway project, which is jointly led by Westmorland and Furness Council, Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust and their developer Urban Splash, and seeks to ensure a strategic and co-ordinated approach to transport, travel and movement infrastructure provision within the Windermere Gateway area. Its long-term vision is to unlock opportunities for a mix of new, much-needed homes, jobs, sustainable transport connections and a much-improved welcome for residents and visitors alike.
The vision for the station and surrounding area includes transforming it into a vibrant transport hub with better connections for walking, cycling, taxis, and buses, alongside public realm and wayfinding upgrades. The design work is an essential step towards being able to deliver the improvement and is being funded by around £150,000 from the council’s Local Transport Grant allocation.
The plan is to create a high-quality station and public realm designed in line with Inclusive Design best practice, whilst also delivering heritage-sensitive design within the Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. Measures to enhance passenger experience, sustainability and climate resilience will also be explored.
Cllr Jonathan Brook, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: "Sensitively creating an enhanced gateway to the Lake District World Heritage Site, through a redeveloped station and transport hub, is a critical component of the Windermere Gateway project. Creating this vision will put us in a much stronger position when lobbying for funding to make this a reality.
"Working together, the partners are committed to all aspects of Windermere Gateway, and creating a world-class welcome for rail and bus passengers would boost the local transport infrastructure and enhance the experience of travelling for everybody who lives, works or visits this area."
Mott MacDonald is providing overall project leadership, urban design, engineering, and engagement, partnering with Owen Ellis Architects on station architecture and Donald Insall Associates on heritage. Community conversations will be held as part of the design development and engagement stages of the design study in late April/early May.
Tom Roberts, Mott MacDonald Project Lead, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected to lead this landmark project. Windermere is a special place – and we’re excited to develop a station area concept that delivers for local communities, visitors and key stakeholders – whilst drawing on our extensive experience of national and international stations best practice”.
Meanwhile, plans have been submitted to government to fund the Lakes Line passing loop and platform, aiming to double train frequency and reduce road congestion, collisions, and emissions. The focus is now on securing government backing and the significant funding to progress the improvements.
Go to the Windermere Gateway website to find out more about the scheme as a whole or the projects individually. The website includes a comprehensive
Frequently Asked Questions section
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