Last 24 hours have been devastating, but lessons need to be learnt from floods

12.00.00am GMT Fri 20th Nov 2009

South Lakes MP Tim Farron is calling for lessons to be learnt from the floods which are still affecting large parts of the area this morning.

Speaking this morning, Tim said: "The last 24 hours have been devastating for many people in the South Lakes. Yesterday, I was out and about in Kendal visiting people who had been affected - it was absolutely heart-breaking to be shown people's homes under water. I will be back out today visiting affected communities across the area, seeing the damage for myself and helping where I can.

"The way the community has pulled together has shown our true spirit here in Cumbria - and our thanks and praise should also go to the emergency services and local councils who have done a fantastic job.

"What became apparent quickly yesterday was that much more could have been done to warn residents, and that there are a number of places where drainage and flood defence systems need urgent work.

"Many residents I spoke to had not been warned at all of the possibility of flooding when the Met Office and Environment Agency had the information to do so days ago. An amount of door knocking in areas like Aynam Road in Kendal could have allowed people to move things off the floor before the water came.

"We have also been aware for some time of missing flood defences or inadequate drainage systems in areas like Burneside and Aynam Road in Kendal. It is imperative that action is now taken to fix these issues."