Transport planning in Cumbria.
Cumbria now needs to be approached through Cumberland or Westmorland and Furness, with separate National Park planning responsibilities where relevant. The county name alone is not enough to identify the decision maker.
Resolve the authority, highway design and drainage together
Both successor councils publish the Cumbria Development Design Guide. It combines highway design and sustainable drainage guidance, making drainage part of the early layout discussion rather than an item left to the end of the access design.
For a constrained site, the width and gradient of the access, space for turning and the route for drainage can determine whether the proposal is deliverable. Establish these matters before fixing the developable area or agreeing a land price.
For visitor or seasonal uses, agree when surveys will represent the development’s operation. A weekday count taken outside the relevant season may not answer the question being asked. Any need for additional evidence should follow the proposed use and the highway issue, rather than a blanket assumption about the whole county.
What to establish before you commission
- Check Cumberland or Westmorland and Furness, plus any National Park planning role.
- Coordinate highway levels, drainage and adoption requirements at concept stage.
- Select survey dates and assessment periods that represent the proposed activity.
Guidance reviewed 18 October 2026. Sources: Cumberland Cumbria Development Design Guide · Westmorland and Furness Cumbria Development Design Guide. Requirements can change; confirm the current documents for the site and application.
For an early budget, our Transport Statement cost guide explains the main fee drivers and the information needed for a quote.
Planning and highway responsibilities
Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness, with separate planning checks for National Park sites.
Local highway authorities within this guide: Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumberland Council.
The council deciding the planning application, the authority responsible for a road and the owner of land needed for an improvement can be different. Establish all three. National Highways involvement depends on effects on the strategic road network; a county address alone does not determine the consultation scope.
Choose the work that answers the planning issue
Send the location plan, proposed use and scale, latest layout and any highway response. We will identify the work needed and quote for an agreed scope. Survey costs, officer discussions, drawings and revisions should be clear at the outset.
Find advice for your location
Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness, with separate planning checks for National Park sites.
The places below share this area guide. Open a location for its council and transport reference information.
Cleator Moor
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Corkickle Rail Station, St Bees Rail Station, Whitehaven Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Cockermouth
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Maryport Rail Station, Flimby Rail Station, Aspatria Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Dalton-in-Furness
Planning area at the location reference point: Westmorland and Furness. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Westmorland and Furness Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Westmorland and Furness Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Dalton Rail Station, Askam Rail Station, Roose Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Egremont
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Nethertown Rail Station, St Bees Rail Station, Braystones Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Kendal
Planning area at the location reference point: Westmorland and Furness. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Westmorland and Furness Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Westmorland and Furness Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Kendal Rail Station, Oxenholme Lake District Rail Station, Burneside (Cumbria) Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Maryport
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Maryport Rail Station, Flimby Rail Station, Workington Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Millom
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Millom Rail Station, Green Road Rail Station, Silecroft Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Penrith
Planning area at the location reference point: Westmorland and Furness. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Westmorland and Furness Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Westmorland and Furness Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Penrith North Lakes Rail Station, Langwathby Rail Station, Lazonby & Kirkoswald Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Seaton (Allerdale)
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Workington Rail Station, Flimby Rail Station, Harrington Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Ulverston
Planning area at the location reference point: Westmorland and Furness. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Westmorland and Furness Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Westmorland and Furness Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Ulverston Rail Station, Dalton Rail Station, Cark Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Whitehaven
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Corkickle Rail Station, Whitehaven Rail Station, Parton Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Wigton
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Wigton Rail Station, Dalston (Cumbria) Rail Station, Aspatria Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Workington
Planning area at the location reference point: Cumberland. The wider built up area can cross council boundaries.
Official council contacts: Cumberland Council.
Highway authority areas recorded for the built up area: Cumberland Council. Confirm the road authority for the exact site.
Rail access point records to investigate: Workington Rail Station, Harrington Rail Station, Flimby Rail Station. These are dataset records within 15 km of the reference point, not evidence of a usable walking route or a frequent service.
Start with the site
Tell us what you are planning and where. We will set out the transport work needed and the next steps.