Setback for town flood pumps plan

The long-awaited scheme to end decades of flooding misery at Malton and Norton has suffered a setback with a decision by councillors not to back the installation of new pumps.
The RDC has already agreed to make a 20% contribution up to £320,000 to the £1.5m project for flood alleviation work in Malton, Old Malton and Norton.The RDC has already agreed to make a 20% contribution up to £320,000 to the £1.5m project for flood alleviation work in Malton, Old Malton and Norton.
The RDC has already agreed to make a 20% contribution up to £320,000 to the £1.5m project for flood alleviation work in Malton, Old Malton and Norton.

The aim had been to replace existing diesel pumps with permanent electric pumps but Ryedale House said it would not be “positive” because of the cost of installation and an annual bill for maintenance, inspection and routine repairs.

The temporary diesel pumps operate in the Castlegate, Chandlers Wharf and Sheepfoot Hill area of Malton.

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Ryedale District Council’s policy and resources committee, said that installing electric pumps would have “a significant financial impact” on the authority’s budgets.

Beckie Bennett, RDC’s head of waste and environment, said: “Temporary pumps offer more flexibility as there is more opportunity for adaptation and operation.

“Officers do not consider replacing the diesel pumps with permanent electric pumps is cost effective or practical.”

The RDC has already agreed to make a 20% contribution up to £320,000 to the £1.5m project for flood alleviation work in Malton, Old Malton and Norton.

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The council had felt that electric pumps would protect public health by preventing explore to dangerous concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, said Ms Bennett. But it was found that permanent electric pumps would cost over £1m.

Neither the County Council nor Ryedale Council has the skill resources to maintain permanent electric pumps.

The business case for Malton and Norton area flooding scheme is due to go before the Local Enterprise Partnership next month.