Distribution centre to ease tourist town's traffic

McClures has been given permission to build a new unit off the M6

A food company will build a new distribution centre off a motorway to ease congestion from a tourist town.

McClures has been given permission by Westmorland and Furness Council to construct the unit off Junction 36 of the M6.

The firm has been operating in Windermere, Cumbria, for 80 years, but moving from its College Road base would reduce traffic in the busy town, the council's planning panel heard at a meeting on Thursday.

Liz Arnold, the council's case officer, said the existing site had caused "a lot of problems with traffic and congestion".

Jeremy Cowan, McClures' transport manager, said the development would "keep all the positives of being in Windermere but gets rid of most of the negatives".

The firm, a large employer in the area, is to build its new facility on land west of the Moss End Business Village.

Planning documents said the development would have a positive impact on traffic flows.

"Junction 36 is one of the most accessible areas in the area and will remove a significant amount of vehicle movements from Kendal to Windermere."