MP: 'Finally action is on the horizon to deal with Hallgarth flooding

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that action will be taken to deal with flooding issues on the Hallgarth estate in Kendal.

Virtually a year to the day after flash floods caused havoc throughout the county, action finally seems to be on the horizon for residents on the Hallgarth estate. Tim held a public meeting with residents and has been campaigning with local county councillor John McCreesh and South Lakeland District Councillor Rob Boden to try and fix the flooding issues.

A final report outlining the problems has been sent by Cumbria County Council to local residents. In the accompanying letter Helen Renyard, Drainage & Surface Water Officer of Cumbria County Council outlined the next actions:

"There are also two areas where more work is required to develop schemes to manage flood water to reduce the risk of flooding to properties.

Land behind High Sparrowmire - CCC is talking to the land owner of the field behind High Sparrowmire to see if it is possible to create surface water storage there, to reduce flood water flowing through the Estate. Responses from the land owner have been positive, and CCC will continue to work with the land owner to establish a possible scheme and investigate possible funding options.

Low Garth area - the MSFW [Flood] group are continuing to work together to establish a scheme which will manage flood water to reduce the damage done to properties. The development of a scheme in this area involves many different parties and will take further time to agree but progress is being made.

CCC will be holding a further Flood Forum in Hallgarth in early autumn, where we look forward to hearing your comments on the Report, and to updating you on any further developments."

These actions are welcome news and something Tim, councillors and local residents have pushed for.

Tim said: "I have worked with local residents to try and find a long term solution and I hope that action will soon lead to real results. Homes on the estate have been blighted by flood problems numerous times over the last few years - I hope that this project will help us fix the problem for people on Low Garth once and for all.

"Cumbria County Council was faced with investigating an unprecedented fifty flood incidents in 2012. I want to pay tribute to local councillor John McCreesh who has worked so hard on this issue to make sure that the Hallgarth report was the first to be completed by the Council."

Town Councillor Matthew Severn added: "This is excellent news. I look forward to the work being completed as soon as possible so that local residents can be secure in the knowledge that their homes are safe and dry."