MP presses Environment Minister to take action on Grange flooding

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has urged the Environment Minister to take action on a long-running flooding issue in Grange-over-Sands.

Every time there is heavy rainfall, Meathop Road is completely flooded causing devastation to residents, businesses, farms and Grange-over-Sands golf club.

Last week, Tim met with the Lynster Farmers’ Group who want Government agencies to allow work to clear the channel of the River Winster so that it can flow naturally and therefore drain the land.

Speaking during a Ministerial Statement in Parliament on Storm Henk on Monday evening, Tim said: “In Cumbria, we sadly know only too well the devastating impact of extreme weather events and flooding, so I and all of us in Cumbria stand in solidarity with those reeling from the impact of Storm Henk.

I want to say something positive about the Minister’s statement and what he has said in replies about farming. The worry that I have, which I think many of us have, is that farmers are still systematically at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to tackling flood risk.

“Can he tell us - he can do it later if he finds that easier - how many farms have received support for managing flood risk through countryside stewardship schemes?

“In my area, will he agree to direct the agencies of his Department - the Marine Management Organisation, the Environment Agency and Natural England - to act swiftly to support the Lynster Farmers’ Group to secure action to tackle flooding that threatens farms, livestock welfare, the Grange golf club and other local businesses by allowing the channel of the River Winster to flow as it should?”

Responding, the Minister for Flooding, Robbie Moore said: “I am happy to write to the honourable gentleman with the detail and figures he requires, but I reassure him that the Government are taking our farmers and the impacts on agricultural land incredibly seriously. That is why this weekend we announced that farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land will be able to apply for grants of up to £25,000 through the farming recovery fund.

“That is a step where we have gone over and above what we have done before, and that is in recognition of the fact that the ground is absolutely saturated on the back of Storm Henk, Storm Babet and the constant rainfall we have had over the winter and autumn period.”