Lyth Valley Pumps Not Just For Farmers - Farron

The government should not consider the Lyth Valley drainage pumps simply as an agricultural measure, Tim Farron MP has insisted today in response to a letter from a Tory minister.

The Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse, James Wharton MP, recently wrote in a letter to Peter Thornton, Liberal Democrat leader of SLDC, that the Lyth Valley drainage pumps are "not a flood prevention measure". He also refused to commit the government to continue funding the pumps beyond June 2016.

However, Tim has pointed out that whilst their original purpose was to drain land for agricultural use, these pumps also now play an important role in preventing many other residential and commercial properties from flooding.

Tim said: "It is disappointing that the Minister has chosen to take such a narrow view about the role these pumps play.

"I have seen first-hand following the recent floods the devastating impact of flooding on homes and businesses in the Lyth Valley. Without the drainage pumps, the flooding would have been even worse.

"Whatever their original purpose, the drainage pumps now play an important role in protecting local people from flooding, and the government should commit to funding them beyond June 2016."