Sir, We have no doubt that you will be inundated with letters about the Stock Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme. Well, here is yet another.

We are some of the residents of Grasmere Crescent, Sandylands, who suffer many flooding problems and are as such writing collectively.

We have discovered, following talks with Tim Farron, that this scheme is still under discussion, with a probability (we hope) of things going ahead after all. But how long do we have to wait? We on Grasmere Crescent understand that we are the last section to be completed in the scheme.

We fail to see how the council has already spent £500,000 but it appears that all we have to see for this is a field costing £30,000 with £470,000 being spent on consultancy and design fees.

In the meantime, every time we have a heavy rainfall, which we all know is far more than the one in 30 years projection it is in fact an almost yearly occurrence the costs to the council for call-outs, pumps, staff to man the pumps, sand and bags, staff to fill and deliver these bags, must be phenomenal.

We could go on, but these costs must be having some effects on the council budget, as they are happening now so regularly.

The council maintains that it does not have the funds to pay for this scheme, that in the long term the public sector may have to bear the costs. Does this mean the possibility of yet another hike in council tax? Well, that would come as no surprise! We wonder about our recent rises in the council tax, are we paying to top-up the shortfall of the council pensions?

We also remain astounded at the amount of money being spent on the pedestrianisation of Kendal, when we have yet to hear from a resident of the town who actually thinks it is a good idea!

Also recently, we are reliably informed that all second/holiday homeowners will be paying the full council tax and not the reduced tax which they had been.

We are not aware of the number of properties but there should be sufficient to bring in a substantial additional income. What has this been earmarked for, we wonder?

None of us are asking for anything other than to have piece of mind when heavy rain is forecast. Only those who have suffered a flood situation can possibly understand our plea. Meanwhile we are at the mercy of the elements.

Mr W. & Mrs H. Vance Mr E. & Mrs K. Leather Mrs E. Dawson Mr D. & Mrs D. Lowther Mr M. & Mrs K. Carradus Mr K. & Mrs R. Wilkinson All of Grasmere Crescent, Kendal n Sir, The Stockbeck Flood Alleviation Scheme must go ahead in one form or another. After January 7's downpour, properties were again flooded on Whitbarrow Close and Bowland Drive. Until the rain abated at 2.30am none of the residents dare go to bed because of the fear of flooding in their houses.

We must thank Coun Sonia Lawson and ex-Coun John Studholme for all their help, bringing sand bags in their own vehicles in the early hours of the morning, also to South Lakeland District Council for its help in delivering sand bags.

A new group has now been formed called the Stock Beck Action group, which will cover Lowther Park, Silverdale Drive, Calder Drive, Grasmere Crescent, Castle Park School, Whitbarrow Close and Bowland Drive and will liaise with SLDC in order to obtain an urgent solution to these flooding problems.

Bryan Wilson Kendal