Farron Meets Floods Minister

South Lakes MP Tim Farron met today with Floods Minister Rory Stewart MP, showing him affected areas in Sandylands, to put pressure on the government to help residents affected by the floods.

Floods Minister Rory Stewart visited Kendal today, and met with Tim and a group of other community volunteers at Sandylands Methodist Church. Also present were SLDC leader Peter Thornton, Councillor Shirley Evans and Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes.

In the meeting Tim pushed for action from the government concerning the plight of those who have lost their homes due to the floods. Around 1400 homes in Kendal were affected by the floods, and many will not be habitable again for many months. Tim also highlighted the difficulties faced by those who either do not have insurance or who are under-insured, and have thus been very badly hit by the damage done by Storm Desmond.

Tim also raised again the case of the A591, which may not reopen until Easter according to present estimates. Tim reiterated the fundamental importance of this route to the local economy, and stressed that the government must prioritise work on this road so that it can reopen before Easter.

Following the meeting, Rory Stewart also visited Sandylands with Tim, to survey the damage and see the effect on the area.

Tim said: "South Lakeland has often been overlooked by recent coverage of the floods, so it was useful to show the Floods Minister the damage which took place in Sandylands and to explain the problems local people face.

"I will continue to urge the government to provide funds to address the housing crisis emerging from the flooding, as well as to rebuild local infrastructure such as the A591."