[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" column_margin="default" column_direction="default" column_direction_tablet="default" column_direction_phone="default" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" row_border_radius="none" row_border_radius_applies="bg" overlay_strength="0.3" gradient_direction="left_to_right" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_tablet="inherit" column_padding_phone="inherit" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" gradient_direction="left_to_right" overlay_strength="0.3" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]The Environment Agency have announced on Twitter that they still intend to start destroying Kendal’s river environment as soon as they can – straight from lockdown to concrete canal this Autumn.

The EA’s Stewart Mounsey posted on Twitter that work will start on the River Kent flood relief scheme in just a few months. Now is the time for local businesses and visitors to the area to object. Simply email Giles Archibald – the leader of South Lakeland District Council - at

[email protected]

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Template for Kendal Businesses

Template for Kendal Visitors

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Why’s it so urgent now?

• Ecological vandalism: The river’s banks will be walled up and robbed of their trees and wildlife habitats. The ripping out of all Kendal’s beautiful riverside trees is a horrible thought,  especially now that we are all realising just how lovely the walks along the banks of the Kent can be. There’s a profusion of flowers and tree blossom, the bats in the evenings, otters and kingfishers during the day, alternating between the dappled shade of the riverside trees and the sunshine of the green spaces at Sandy Bottoms, a haven for the herons, butterflies and wild flowers. 

• Loss of business: While fighting for survival in the face of Coronavirus, Kendal’s small businesses will also need to brace for the effect of the EA’s phase one.

• Road disruption: The removal of the trees will cause a huge amount of disruption to Kendal’s road system, as huge trucks will need to be brought into the centre of town to remove the trees and transport them to whoever has bought the timber presumably.

• Health and safety: There will be many health and safety concerns with the felling of trees along a main road which will close at least one lane, if not the entire road.

• Parking: The transport for the contractors will need to be parked somewhere in town too. New Road? Canal Head? County Hall? Dowkers Lane? Wherever they put their vehicles will cause a huge amount of disruption to the people of Kendal, let alone any much-needed visitors to the town.

[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url="2436" animation="Fade In" hover_animation="none" alignment="" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" image_loading="default" max_width="100%" max_width_mobile="default"][vc_column_text]With tourism so essential to the town, who is going to want to attempt to get into Kendal with all the demolition and construction chaos? In the planning phase, the EA’s answer was to put signs on the M6 and on Kendal by-pass telling people to avoid Kendal due to the expected long delays. South Lakeland District Council is completely silent on this disaster waiting to happen for Kendal’s businesses.

Small businesses in Kendal should be very afraid – and visitors should be just as concerned. It’s time to hold our representatives to account. Write to your councillor now to help Kendal before it’s too late. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]With tourism so essential to the town, who is going to want to attempt to get into Kendal with all the demolition and construction chaos? In the planning phase, the EA’s answer was to put signs on the M6 and on Kendal by-pass telling people to avoid Kendal due to the expected long delays. South Lakeland District Council is completely silent on this disaster waiting to happen for Kendal’s businesses.

Small businesses in Kendal should be very afraid – and visitors should be just as concerned. It’s time to hold our representatives to account. Write to your councillor now to help Kendal before it’s too late. [/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url="2435" animation="Fade In" hover_animation="none" alignment="" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" image_loading="default" max_width="100%" max_width_mobile="default"][/vc_column][/vc_row]