Bid to plug leaking flood defences

When heavy rain hit the Norton area last November, the level of the River Derwent didn’t reach the top of the defences, but the high levels caused some parts of the existing defences to seep.

Now the Environment Agency is due to start work repairing two sections of defences at Malton and Norton to reduce the risk of the wall leaking.

Meanwhile York Council yesterday confirmed it has secured £2m towards preventing flooding on the A19 from the Government.

The £4.7m A19 project has provoked some fears from local residents worried about the impact on the character of the local area.

It will see a series of flood and surface drainage proposals, together with other improvements including a new left turn lane from A19 into the Designer Outlet park and ride and inbound bus priority lanes between the A64 and Germany Beck.

The highest known floods in Malton and Norton have been in 1947, 1999 and 2000. The £9m Malton, Norton and Old Malton flood alleviation scheme was built following the 2000 floods and the scheme offers protection to over 300 homes and businesses.

Work is due to begin on Monday on the repair project, which is due to take four weeks depending on river levels and weather conditions, which will see repairs done to the defences.

Motorists are being warned to expect delays as one lane of Norton Road will be closed to allow the work to go ahead.

Paul Knight, project manager at the Environment Agency said: “This work is necessary and will help to reduce any future disruption during a flood.”

Contractors are now preparing to start work on the brick flood wall on the Corn Mill right bank directly upstream of Railway Bridge, and the stone wall left bank, directly downstream of County Bridge. Work will include the rebuilding of the section of brick wall that has cracked.