Cumbria County Council (CCC) and Cumbria Tourism have shared interests towards improving the urban environment in Windermere. For a number of years CCC has investigated possibilities for improving traffic management in the town centre and the operation of the two main junctions on the A591. This work is a key element of the Local Transport Plan 2006 - 2011 (LTP). Cumbria Tourism has led the Lake District Renaissance Programme that looks towards raising the quality of the visitor experience in the National Park. The Master Plan for Windermere and Bowness prepared by Spawforths in 2005 highlighted the scope for significant traffic management enhancement work in the Crescent Road/Main Road area of Windermere to raise the quality of the environment and reduce the impact of traffic.

With this goal in mind a partnership comprising CCC, Cumbria Tourism, Cumbria Vision, South Lakeland Development Trust, South Lakeland District Council, Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Lakeland District National Park Authority was formed to co-ordinate a variety of regeneration projects within and around Windermere and Bowness. These Organisations collectively form the Windermere and Bowness Masterplan Steering Group and they have secured funding from Regional, European Community and CCC LTP sources.

Carillion Infrastructure Services is the Principal Contractor for the works and we have been appointed on an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) basis, to develop the project which will benefit and improve the quality of life for all those who live in, work in or visit Windermere.