Lib Dem plans would put an end to Kendal flood scheme wait

Liberal Democrat plans announced today for a £2billion flood prevention fund would put an end to the wait for Kendal's flood defence scheme. Tim Farron has long campaigned for a flood defence scheme in Kendal, but the Conservatives have repeatedly delayed it.

Following the devastating floods of 2015, the government finally agreed to a £24million flood defence scheme for the River Kent. However, local residents are still waiting for the scheme to be built.

The Liberal Democrats have today committed to a £2bn flood prevention fund which focuses on providing support for small community and council-led schemes. The aim is to reduce upstream flooding and the knock-on effects in downstream and coastal areas, as well as improving flood defences, and introducing high standards for flood resilience for buildings and infrastructure in flood risk areas.

Tim said: "Local people who experienced the devastating damage of Storm Desmond know how important it is for Kendal's flood defence scheme to be built without delay. Lib Dem plans for a £2billion flood prevention fund would put an end to this wait.

"Climate change will mean that the sort of extreme weather we saw during Storm Desmond will only become more common. It is vital that we are prepared, and that means investing in flood defences now.

"The Conservatives have repeatedly failed to fund our flood defences. Local people are understandably concerned that a year and a half after our floods there is still no flood defence scheme on the River Kent to protect our area. Conservative complacency is letting our area down. Only the Lib Dems have a fully-funded plan for investing in flood defences."