In 2022, AMION completed a summative assessment of the ERDF-funded Low Carbon Lake District project for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA). The project had overall funding of a little over £7 million, with match funding provided by partners such as LDNPA and Cumbria LEP.
The programme was delivered by LDNPA and provided a holistic approach to the implementation of low carbon solutions in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stimulate market growth of the local environmental technology sector and showcase low carbon transport alternatives.
The project involved a number of interventions such as: developing a multi-user trail between Keswick and Threlkeld use to provide a low carbon alternative to vehicle use; a lake source heat pump at Brockhole; and an Electric Driverless Pods demonstrator.
The evaluation included a survey of users of the Keswick to Threlkeld multi-user trail (carried out by Spirul). Consultations were also carried out with the project team.
Our evaluation demonstrated that the project had been successful in achieving its targets and reducing carbon emissions in the Lake District. It had also delivered economic benefits to the Lake District as a result of visitor spend and has increased accessibility to the outdoors.