Ryedale flood victims forming a new residents' association say flood-defence plans are too slow. They want action and they want it now.

The St Nicholas Street Residents' Association aims to give victims a voice and to press for a flood defence scheme within one year for Malton, Old Malton and Norton.

At its first meeting more than 60 angry residents demanded answers from Peter Holmes, an Environment Agency flood defence manager.

He explained the agency was undertaking a £90,000 feasibility study into flood defence alternatives with 2003 set as the target year for implementation.

"However," he warned, "any scheme must be technically possible, economically viable and cost beneficial."

At the height of the March flood 160 cubic metres of water per second flowed down the river at Buttercrambe. This, he said was the equivalent of emptying a local authority swimming pool in two and a half seconds.

Chairman Howard Keal, still homeless himself because of flood damage, told Peter Holmes residents had suffered more hassle and heartache from the aftermath of the flood than they ever could have imagined.

"Since then we have heard little from the Environment Agency apart from the sound of its patting itself on the back," he said.

"The agency appears to be more interested in saving money than saving homes. It has moved with a conspicuous lack of urgency and it is working to a schedule that was out of date the moment the floods struck."

Another resident asked: "What price is placed on the agony and anguish people have suffered?"

Upsets, replied Mr Holmes, had to be taken into account. An option would be to balance the cost of a flood defence system against the cost to insurers.

Known costs would be taken into account in the study but, he admitted, although all houses flooded in March would be contacted shortly, insurers would not be asked about their costs.

Since March, the agency had started work clearing the river and had decided to install non-return valves on culverts in Mill Beck running behind Welham Road, Norton, in an attempt to stop water getting back up.

He said the River Derwent was a designated site of scientific interest and as a result the agency had a duty to consult with English Nature before doing any work.

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