MP to blast Government in Parliament for rejecting flood defence plans for Windermere

Local MP Tim Farron will table a motion in Parliament next week criticising the Government's decision to reject new flood defences for Windermere.

The Environment Agency had proposed a number of flood relief schemes for the town, as well as at the lake at Bowness and at Backbarrow.

However these plans have been turned down by the Government as they didn't meet their 'cost/benefit criteria'.

Tim's motion criticises the Government for failing in its duties to protect the communities of Windemere, Bowness and Backbarrow, and calls for a greater emphasis on the impact on businesses after flooding so that communities like these can receive the necessary flood prevention funding to protect them from extreme weather events in the future.

Last month, Tim accused the Government of turning their backs on Windermere and wrote to DEFRA Secretary Michael Gove urging him to re-think the decision.

Tim said: "After promising the earth after Storm Desmond, it's absolutely shameful that the Government have now decided to turn their backs on the people of Windermere, Bowness and Backbarrow.

"The Government have failed to take into account the broader economic impact that failure to provide flood defences will have on tourism and businesses in the area.

"Michael Gove must rethink this short-sighted decision which will have dreadful consequences for both tourism and local residents."