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Sustainable and Integrated Transport for Ullswater

Our Vision

We want to see a sustainable and integrated transport system for the Ullswater valley which will benefit residents, local businesses and visitors.

SITU is run by a group of residents from the Ullswater parishes in the Lake District. The group wants to see a sustainable and integrated transport system for the Ullswater valley which will benefit residents, local businesses and visitors in keeping with the World Heritage status of the Lake District. To this end the group is working on a variety of projects in conjunction with local communities and businesses, farmers, land owners, local authorities and relevant agencies to improve local transport options, reduce adverse impact transport can have on the environment and on residents and increase road safety.

Our Mission

Between now and 2037 we want to see:

More visitors to Ullswater arriving by rail at Penrith
Safe, easy and cost effective travel from Penrith to the Ullswater valley by bicycle, electric buggy, small eCar, eBus or tram
Safe and convenient pedestrian and cycle route(s) to the valley
Established by local communities, and in consultation with local business and relevant authorities, create gateways or hubs where visitors can leave their cars or coaches to connect with other more sustainable transport options.
Incentives for visitors to leave their cars at gateways or accommodation through a combination of: cost effective and convenient alternatives, attractive sustainable transport experiences & convenience disincentives (such as speed limits)
A network of family-friendly cycle routes around the valley and hubs where bicycles (including ebikes) can be picked up or dropped off
A variety of affordable and convenient public transport options in the valley that are cycle- and pedestrian-friendly
Imaginative use of technology to help residents and visitors plan more sustainable travel options
Smaller but more frequent vehicles used for public transport, more suited to the narrow roads and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists
The lake as a transport corridor, providing a cheap, regular and efficient service for pedestrians and cyclists with more connections around the lake
Residents choosing to leave their cars at home because they have access to more frequent and affordable public transport, lift share schemes and safer roads
Ullswater as a flagship for local sustainable and integrated transport schemes

To achieve our Vision, we are carrying out research and consulting and collaborating with local residents, visitors, businesses, authorities and other interested parties.

We plan to get there by setting a series of achievable goals. Our present projects include:

A footpath route between Penrith and the valley
A network of family-friendly, cycle routes from Penrith to the valley and around the valley
An Ullswater Hopper Bus
A network of electric charging points which will cope with expected future demand
A lift-share scheme
A valley-wide ebike hire scheme
Exploring, in conjunction with Ullswater Steamers, opportunities for increasing the use of Ullswater as a transport corridor with better connections between the major settlements, lakeside holiday parks and attractions

Latest News

Ullswater Bus 2024

In 2023, we organised a new minibus service in the Ullswater valley with Stagecoach which ran on weekends and bank holidays from July 1 to

Eamont Way connects the world to Ullswater

The Eamont Way is a walking route from Penrith Railway Station to Pooley Bridge Steamer Pier, offering an active travel alternative to the car, bus,

We need your input for joined up safe cycling

In the pursuit of safe cycling and walking routes for people of all ages and levels of fitness the SITU cycling group is currently working

Want to liftshare?

With so little public transport in our area, we are reliant on our cars to get around. So many of us must make the same

Measuring Ullswater transport carbon footprint

Michael Firth, chair of SITU, Mike Siddall from Cumbria University and Daniel Holder from The Quiet Site welcome India Roberts to Ullswater from the University