FLOODING problems are easing for many south Cumbrians this evening as the roads and trains begin to return to normal.

LIVE UPDATES

7.55pm: The A590 is clear and traffic is flowing without major issues. Train services have also resumed.

6.30pm: The A590 has reopened but trains remain delayed or cancelled on the Furness line.

4.03pm: The Leece to Gleaston road is now open.

3.40pm: The Coast Road A5087 is now open.

3.15pm: Police have been called to a crash on the M6 southbound near Junction 36.

2.40pm: Westbound (both lanes) and eastbound (one lane) now open on A590

12.38pm: Two lanes of the M6 southbound between Junction 36 and Junction 35 are now open.

12.12pm South Lakes MP Tim Farron:

“The dreadful floods that have hit our area overnight are a timely reminder that an incident like Storm Desmond or worse could hit our community at any time.

"In December 2015, the government agreed to our bid for £25m for flood relief schemes along the River Kent and its tributaries, and yet two years on and not a single piece of engineering work has taken place.

"When I wrote to Michael Gove in October urging him and the government to get on with bringing in flood defences, his response was that work wouldn’t be starting until 2019/2020.

“This simply isn’t good enough.

“There needs to be much greater urgency to deliver flood defences for the reassurance of local residents, businesses, farmers and visitors.”

LATEST WEATHER FORECAST:

The night is expected to be a cold one in Cumbria, with drivers bracing for an icy start to the morning tomorrow.

Light wins and sunny intervals will follow, with a maximum temperature of 6°C.

SCHOOLS:

The Lakes School at Troutbeck Bridge is closed and due to reopen tomorrow (Friday).

There are no reported school closures in Barrow, Ulverston or Millom. Furness College also remains open as usual.

All schools which were closed yesterday are due to reopen today although that situation could change.

Old Hutton Primary School in Kendal is closed and due to reopen tomorrow (Friday).

Great Orton Primary School in Carlisle is closed and due to reopen tomorrow (Friday).

Crosscrake Primary School in Kendal is closed.

SUPPORT AVAILABLE:

Cumbria Community Foundation is encouraging people to apply for financial assistance after flooding hit homes again across the county.

The Cumbria Disaster Fund was set up with an initial donation of £50,000 from the charity’s own funds to ensure immediate funding is available to anyone who needs help following a disaster.

The fund will initially provide support for immediate needs such as alternative accommodation costs, cleaning up, emergency repairs, clothing, food and drink, drying out and basic furniture. Priority will be given to uninsured, low income households.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: "Sadly, our county has seen multiple major flooding incidents in the last ten years. It is devastating to see the damage done yet again to our community over the last few days.

“We don’t yet know full the scale of the need, but we know that the flooding will cause significant financial hardship and emotional distress. The disaster isn’t over when the floodwaters recede, for many this will just be the start of a really tough time.

“The trustees committed £50,000 to a response and recovery fund for the region. At this stage, grants will be awarded to provide clean-up materials, household items and furniture to ensure that everyone has the basics needed to get their lives back up and running but that will be just the start, there is going to be a lot of ongoing need.”

The Foundation is aware that the fund can only provide a limited level of support to uninsured households.

Anyone wanting to apply to the fund should visit Cumbria Community Foundation's website www.cumbriafoundation.org or speak to the grants team on 01900 825760.

The Foundation has previously raised almost £14 million following widespread flooding in 2005, 2009 and 2015, all of which has gone back into rebuilding the county.