River Kent flood defence plan decision is massive relief to flood hit communities - MP

Commenting on the news that the first phase of the River Kent flood defence plan has been give the go ahead, local MP Tim Farron said:

"This news will come as a great relief for all those in Kendal, Burneside and Staveley whose homes and businesses have been devastated by recent flooding.

"I know that some residents have had concerns about certain aspects of the plans so it's important that we continue to hold the Environment Agency account to deliver the best possible scheme for our community.

"There have been five formal requests that the Government call in this decision which could still halt these plans, and therefore I will be writing to the Secretary of State to urge him to reject these requests.

"Having waited more than three years to even get to the planning stage, and having been through many iterations during the consultation, those who still live with the trauma of flood events over the past ten years should not be made to wait any longer to get these flood defences in place."