Flood relief should be a priority

Local MP Tim Farron spent much of the weekend speaking with residents of South Lakeland affected by the floods. He delayed his journey to Parliament until Tuesday morning to enable him to spend Monday touring South Lakeland, visiting sites of flooding in Ambleside, Grange and Kendal.

The Stock Beck flood relief scheme, which Mr Farron helped to secure, successfully prevented the flooding of hundreds of homes around the Sedbergh Road area of Kendal and Castle Park Primary School.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"I hope that the floods over the last few days will have taught the government a lesson. The DEFRA budget is being cut by the government, but this is the time to invest even more in flood relief schemes to protect local homes and agricultural land.

"Driving along the Lyth Valley yesterday, I saw how much of the valley was under water, which increased my determination to ensure that the valley's drainage systems are maintained.

"DEFRA plans to allow the drainage pumps to lapse must be overturned. They need to invest in replacing the pumps that maintain the viability of the farmland in the valley."