LibLink: Tim Farron: Rebuilding Cumbria in the wake of floods

In a column for the North West Evening Mail, Tim Farron talks about the difficulties people continue to face in the floods-hit Lake District:

Importantly we are still not sure when the A591 will be open again between Grasmere and Keswick and that is the major road priority in the county.

As you drive around you cannot help but see damage to lots of roads around the county. Cumbria County Council will be repairing potholes for months to come.

I am doing all I can to press the government to move to address these issues as quickly as possible and to find the money we need to get all the work done.

We have seen the temporary road open up by Thirlmere to get school children and any others who need to travel between Grasmere and Keswick through but this is really only a sticking plaster.

He did, however, make the point that the Lake District was still very much open for business. That made us think that it might be a good idea to go and visit there and see beautiful scenery and enjoy the wonderful restaurants and pubs there. January is always a miserable month, so a visit to somewhere pretty might be just the thing you need to cheer you up:

I am really worried that the news coverage will have a serious effect on our visitor numbers this year with the consequences being felt on the incomes that people earn in tourism and related businesses.

Already I have been told of bookings being cancelled and enquiries being down.

We must all play a part in ensuring that Cumbria comes out of Storm Desmond with as little long-term damage as possible. Please encourage anyone you know who is thinking about visiting the Lakes to get their trip booked in.

If you are out shopping please think about using local shops as much as possible; they have fewer resources to keep them going during difficult times than the national chains and more of the money they take stays in the area.

You can read the whole article here.

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One Comment

  • Cllr Chris Hogg 9th Jan '16 - 9:17am

    As Mayor of Kendal and Culture, Arts and Events portfolio holder for South Lakeland District Council I would like to wholeheartedly agree with Tim’s comments. Tourism is worth £2.2b to the Cumbrian economy and many of those whose houses have been flooded will work in the tourism trade too. There are always great exhibitions (Canaletto at Abbot Hall – Kendal) and events (Kendal Festival of Food), as well as the beautiful scenery and shops, so come along and see us! You’ll be gratefully welcomed.

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