Farron calls for action to save local fell-top assessment service to protect walkers’ safety

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has tabled a motion in Parliament calling on the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs to ensure the survival of the winter fell-top assessment service due to its vital importance to the safety of walkers through Weatherline.

The winter-fell top assessment service has collected invaluable climate data every day of the winter season from the peak of Helvellyn for the past 35 years. This information is essential for the 9.1 million British ramblers as well as the half a million annual callers to Weatherline and others accessing data online. However, this indispensable service is now under threat due to financial constraints placed on the Lake District National Park Authority.

Tim has put forward an Early Day Motion strenuously urging Parliament to support the significant work of the winter-fell top assessment service. Additionally, Tim is calling on all MPs to support his calls for the government to provide a small amount of financial support for the National Park Authority to ensure the survival of this essential service.

Tim commented: "I believe the winter-fell top assessment is a unique resource that provides both an invaluable service to the local community and important data for the wider population. The possibility of it ending is both worrying and ridiculous when its continuation can be ensured so easily, particularly when the local community needs this service so desperately.

"This is such a simple gain. I therefore urge local people, and all MPs to get behind our campaign calling on the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure the continuation of this vital service for visitors, local hill walkers and all who care about safety in the Lake District."