Lakes parish councillors are seeking clarification from the North West Ambulance Service after hearing strong rumours that Ambleside’s flood-damaged station at Rothay Holme might not be reinstated, and the area might lose its ambulance station altogether, reports Jane Renouf.

Ambulance officials told county councillor Heidi Halliday that because this was the third time the station had been flooded, an alternative site might be sought, but emphasised that the ambulance service was committed to Ambleside.

However, councillors are fearful there might be some truth in rumours that the service would leave Ambleside and move to Kendal. Ambleside has always had its own ambulance since the first horse-drawn service in 1901 and ambulance services are temporarily operating out of the Mountain Recue base at Low Fold.

Lakes Parish Council turned down a suggestion that it might subsidise a helicopter shuttle service between Grasmere and Keswick during the two-week Easter holiday period while the A591 remains closed for major repairs.

After the idea was aired on the media, clerk Michael Johnson said it attracted a number of visitor inquiries, however, council refused to authorise a feasibility study, saying that any available council funding should go to local flood relief.

It would be fine if businesses chose to subsidise estimated fares at between £50-70 with a private helicopter company, but public funds could not be used to subsidise what was little more than a jolly, at a time when floods caused others to lose their businesses.

Council wants South Lakeland District Council to prioritise repairs to the path in Rothay Park so access can be re-established over Miller Bridge to Under Loughrigg.

Although the small footbridge is said to be undamaged, it remains fenced off from the park. Council said tarmacking the footpath approaching the footbridge and up over Miller Bridge, together with other bridge repairs would make it accessible again.

Walkers were said to be very cross at finding the route closed, but if SLDC failed to appreciate the significance of this, Lakes PC suggested SLDC should let them get on with the job instead. The path and bridges are both part of the Sustrans national cycle route.

Councillors heard that the floods were so extreme, a garden shed outside Riverside cottages on Under Loughrigg road was located half a mile downstream at Clappersgate.

The famous Stepping Stones across the Rothay at Rydal have a large gap in the middle where stones were swept away and are probably lying on the riverbed, to be rescued and re-placed by the National Park.

The flooded Lakes PC office has been refurbished, but the minutes of all council meetings in 2015 were destroyed, and the clerk’s essential ‘bible,’ Arnold-Baker on Local Council Administration, 9th edition, is missing.

Coun Ella Footit spoke of flood relief initiatives such as the shuttle bus for school children in Grasmere and various ideas to boost trade, but said local residents were suffering, and more was being done for businesses than local people.

However, businesses would eventually recoup and floods were not the reason why there were so few visitors in January, which was always the quietest time of the year when some hotels shut for holidays.

Coun Footit wanted more done to get shuttle transport for residents including those who normally travelled to Keswick to work, or for important family reasons.

Rydal Village Society expressed its dismay that despite the floods, building was continuing on flood plains, including the new university accommodation.

Cllr Heidi Halliday was praised by members for her unstinting work in responding to numerous flood issues since Storm Desmond. Anyone needing refills for grit bins can contact Heidi on 015394-31472.

Council will once again write to Tesco to complain about unsightly trolleys stacked with waste left outside the shop awaiting collection, which spoiled the look of the town centre.

Work is due to begin on January 26 improving Waterhead, starting at the pier end. Work will stop for Easter and is due to finish in April. Lakes PC is increasing its provision of benches from five to nine.