Cumbria will receive at least £43m share of £700m funding

In yesterday's 2016 Budget announcement, the Chancellor confirmed a £700million boost in flood defence funding.

£33million will be assigned to Cumbria for schemes in Kendal, Appleby, Flimby, Eamont Bridge, Wigton, Pooley Bridge, Rickerby Park and Braithwaite.

It will be used to better protect 1,700 properties and key local infrastructure.

The government has also committed investing up to £25m in flood defences in Carlisle once the Environment Agency has concluded a review of its needs in the city.

The total capital commitment by 2021 is at least £43million to be spent in Cumbria.

This comes on top of the £2.3bn of planned spending up to 2021 - exceeding the Government’s manifesto commitment to build 1,500 flood defence schemes.

In total £150m of capital spending will build flood defence schemes in areas affected by the December floods which will bring protection to more than 7,400 properties.