Rivers and Flooding

River EdenConstituents in areas such as Eamont Bridge, Rickerby, Pooley Bridge, Cliburn or Stockdalewath have experienced the very damaging effects of flooding. I have therefore hosted visits from the flooding Minister; spoken to and worked with local Flood Action Groups, the National Flood Forum and industry specialists at the North Cumbria Flood Conference; and lobbied Defra ministers over the substantial increase in insurance premiums many communities in high flood risk areas would otherwise have faced had the Statement of Principles framework expired. In part because of our work the flooding Minister has struck a new agreement with the insurance companies, allowing affordable insurance for homes at risk.

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RORY ASKS FOR SOLUTIONS TO WEATHERIGGS PARK SEWAGE DILEMMA

Rory Stewart MP has met with representatives from United Utilities and Eden District Council to explore solutions to the failing drainage system in Penrith’s Weatherigg’s Park, which has caused sewerage to be washed up onto pathways and grass verges throughout the park, during heavy downpours. The park, which is located between Clifford Road and the A66, is well […]

RORY PRAISES RESILIENCE OF RICKERBY RETREAT

Rory Stewart MP last week paid a visit to the Rickerby Retreat, to meet with Spa Manager, Amy Bristo, and to look at how the spa and restaurant was recovering following damage sustained during Storm Desmond in 2015. The family business, owned and run by Rachel and Daniel Ferguson was launched in 2014 and was only […]

SUPPORT FOR ‘A PLAN FOR POOLEY BRIDGE’

Rory Stewart attended a high-level meeting convened by Barton Parish Council’s Chairman Miles MacInnes, and attended by representatives from The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, Cumbria County Council, the Lake District National Park Authority, Eden District Council, the Parish Council, the Ullswater Association and Lake District Estates, to discuss the future of Pooley Bridge following […]

RORY CONVENES BELL BRIDGE MEETING TO DISCUSS REPAIR OPTIONS

The meeting, which the local MP arranged, was attended by Andy Brown of Cumbria Highways, local county councillor Duncan Fairbairn, and parish councillors including Alan Rule and Michael Stockdale. The damage to the bridge was inspected, and technical aspects explained to the community. Andy Brown, Senior Director of Strategic Asset Management in the Highways department, […]

RORY VISITS FLOOD WORK ON CARLISLE-SETTLE LINE

Rory Stewart MP last week visited the site of a major landslide, caused by the December 2015 storms, which closed part of the historic ‘Carlisle to Settle’ line between Carlisle and Appleby. The landslide, which occurred at Eden Brows, Armathwaite, was caused by the swelling of the River Eden during Storm Desmond, and Network Rail, […]

€20 million European funding boosts North West waters

Rivers, lakes and coastal beaches across the North West are set to benefit from €20 million of European Union funding to make the region’s waters cleaner than ever, Environment Minister Rory Stewart announced at a national water conference in Manchester today. Having lived with the long legacy of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester’s rivers have seen […]

€12 million EU funding to protect vital UK moorlands

Thousands of acres of South Pennines moorland and peat bogs will be better protected and provide a haven for wildlife as a new EU-funded restoration project gets underway today. The MoorLIFE 2020 project – which received €12 million funding from the European Union – will restore and preserve areas of blanket bog developed over thousands […]

‘CUMBRIA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS’

Floods Minister and local MP Rory Stewart has officially re-opened the A591, the major Lake District route that has been closed since Storm Desmond devastated the road in December 2015. Over £250 million has now been provided to areas to make sure communities can get back on their feet and to help the North recover […]

RORY HERALDS £26,634 FLOOD RESILIENCE PAYMENT TO CROSBY-ON-EDEN SCHOOL

Rory Stewart MP has welcomed the approval of a £26,634 grant from the Education Funding Agency for future flood resilience measures at Crosby-on-Eden C of E Primary School. The grade II listed building was badly hit by floods during Storm Desmond, with only one classroom remaining dry, and Rory has been pressing hard for as much financial support […]