Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and the Government's Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs are to be urged to step in if work doesn't start next month on the flood defence scheme for Malton and Norton.

Coun Keith Orrell told Ryedale District Council's community services and licensing committee: "It is two years since the first flood yet work has still not started on the defence scheme."

He said that even if it did start in January, it was anticipated to take 11 months. "It is very worrying," he said. "We shall be into another winter."

He said the Environment Agency had "worked very hard" and he believed there had been support for the scheme "from on high".

The council's property manager, Dave Summers, said there would be a need to divert some utility services as part of the scheme, which would cost about £18,000.

Talks were under way with the agency on several issues in connection with the Mill Beck pumping station, including diversions of utilities, road closure, railtrack attendance, procuring of pumping equipment, station pipework and a control kiosk.

The construction period had been shortened to 11 months, said Mr Summers.The design of the Priorpot Beck scheme was completed and council officers were in talks with the agency on construction and the pay cost order.

In addition, the possibility of a portable pump was also being investigated for use when the defences were in place.

The committee was told by John Davison, assistant chief executive (policy) that work on the £25,000 scheme for a picnic area was expected to be completed by February 2003. He said it would be a "positive outcome of two disastrous flooding events".

Councillors backed the proposal which is likely to include seating, a walkway, lighting and landscaping.

Coun Elizabeth Shields, the committee chairman, welcomed the funding from Yorkshire Forward for the project.

- Stamford Bridge will almost certainly have to get through another winter without protection from flooding, the Environment Agency has revealed.

The agency has withdrawn the village's £1m flood defence scheme from the current budget following planning delays. Flood defence manager Peter Holmes said this meant work could not now start until spring at the earliest, even if full planning permission was granted by councillors today.

Updated: 10:11 Thursday, December 13, 2001