FLOOD alerts were issued for parts of Ryedale last week as persistent rain led to high levels on the River Derwent.

Emergency pumps were brought in at Church Street in Norton and next to County Bridge on Friday as the Environment Agency (EA) advised people to avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and driving through any floodwater.

As a result of rising river levels, the pedestrian bridge near the rugby club in Old Malton, which was installed by volunteers as part of a project co-ordinated by Malton and Norton Area Partnership (MNAP) over the summer, has collapsed and is currently closed to the public for safety reasons.

Martin Dales, Malton Town Council’s member for flooding, said: “It is very disappointing that after a huge amount of voluntary activity by the MNAP working with Malton Town Council, Fitzwilliam Malton Estate and Fitzwilliam Trust Corporation, in both fundraising and physical terms rebuilding the bridge and boardwalk along the River Derwent, that this should happen.

“I look forward to its early reconstruction when the conditions allow to enable people to continue to enjoy this recreational area between Malton and Old Malton.”

Sarah Oswald, from the MNAP, said: “The Malton and Norton Area Partnership is sorry to see the impact that the recent weather conditions have had.

“As soon as water levels allow we will be assessing the work required to address the damage and will look to reopen the route as soon as possible.

“Until then we urge users to find alternative routes and to take great care in the area of Lady Spring Woods and the permissive footpaths during the high water levels.”