The flooding crisis will not speed up the construction of flood defences in Ryedale, a senior Environment Agency boss has warned.

Craig McGarvey, the agency's Dales area manager, told an emergency meeting that the latest floods would have no bearing on the speed with which flood defences are implemented.

"We are looking at a number of possibilities and we need to carry out a full consultation before anything is done," he said.

"We have consulted with residents, but we need to carry out a full study of the situation and then we would have to apply to the Government for any such schemes.

"There are an estimated 240,000 homes in North Yorkshire which are classed as being at risk from flooding and it is simply not cost effective to build defences for everyone.

"We have done some work in Malton by installing flap valves into the drainage system and these have had an effect in keeping water levels down slightly."

He said recent climatic changes seem to be increasing the amount of wet weather and raising the chances of flooding.

Last year floods occurred because of a combination of snow melting in the hills and heavy rainfall, said Mr McGarvey.

"This year the floods have happened because we have had a very wet year and the ground water levels are very high," he said.

His comments were condemned today by flood victim Howard Keal, who said the defence scheme must be fast-tracked to prevent Norton being flooded for a third time. He said he and his wife had moved into a hotel after their home was flooded again yesterday, and their children had gone to stay with grandparents. They now face the prospect of having to clear up their home for a second time when the floods eventually go down.

Ryedale MP John Greenway agreed that the flood defence scheme should be speeded up. He said he felt that residents needed reassurance that flood defences would be in place sooner than originally planned.

Meanwhile, the police in the East Riding of Yorkshire were warning drivers to steer well clear of Stamford Bridge as the River Derwent continued to cause havoc.

Vehicles driving through the floodwaters were causing waves, exacerbating problems for households already flooded.

Stamford Bridge Surgery was forced to close and Humberside Police said appointments were being dealt with at the group's other surgery at Strensall.

A police information point has opened in the village and anyone in the area with any concerns about the situation at Stamford Bridge can phone 01759 371222 to speak to a police officer.