Farron: Government Flood Review must lead to action

Following the release of the government's flood review, South Lakes MP Tim Farron has said that the government must back up its analysis with action, calling for the Kendal flood defence scheme to be built without delay.

The government's National Flood Resilience Review was published yesterday, and promises an additional £12.5 million for flood relief measures but does not set out where or how the money will be spent.

Tim said: "The government's response to the floods last winter was shoddy and half-hearted - some families are still out of their homes and local businesses are still feeling the impact. Flood-affected communities were seriously let down.

"This review is welcome but comes far too late and with only a drop more cash. Further chaos is inevitable without proper investment in flood defences.

"The government should start building the flood defence scheme that has been promised for Kendal, Burneside and Staveley as a matter of urgency, so that the devastating scenes of last winter are not repeated again.

"We were eligible for up to £125million in EU relief funding for communities devastated by flooding, but the Government dragged its feet on applying and now it is completely up in the air."