Cumbria floods group set up to consider strengthening defences

After impact of Storm Desmond in north of England environment secretary sets up group to look at flood-defence planning

The environment secretary, Elizabeth Truss, has set up a group to consider whether flood defences in Cumbria need to be strengthened after thousands of homes were affected by heavy rain and floods following Storm Desmond.

The Cumbrian Floods Partnership group will look at options for slowing key rivers to reduce the intensity of water flows and build stronger links between local residents, community groups and flood-defence planning.