Angry Ryedale residents today accused authorities of overreacting as river levels rose.

Harold Darley, director of Robsons Garage in Welham Road, Norton, prepares for flooding. Picture: Garry Atkinson

And there was further outrage as the Government announced there would be no public inquiry into the flood disaster.

Just a month after the flooding of Malton, Norton and Stamford Bridge, sandbags were issued again last night after the Environment Agency issued a yellow warning. But the water levels subsided today before any properties were affected.

The alarm came hours before Countryside Minister Elliot Morley ruled out an inquiry into the floods, saying: "In the light of a report I have received from the Environment Agency I am not persuaded that a public inquiry into this event is justified."

He added the flooding was a rare event "predicted to occur no more regularly than once every 75 to 100 years."

But residents said there was more need than ever for answers after last night's panic.

Mike Williams, of Castle News, Malton, said: "People are frightened to death. We've never had sandbags issued before after one day's rain."

And ex-mayor of Malton, Martin Dales, said: "I was having a quiet drink in the Royal Oak when they began delivering sandbags. Stress levels suddenly zoomed. People thought, 'Oh no, not again.' There was real anxiety."

He added that the Government's decision against a public inquiry would go down like a lead balloon. "It is very bad news. Mr Morley needs to be pressurised to change his mind."

Graeme Robinson lives in Sutton Street, Norton. He said: "I heard last night that there is an amber flood warning. That is after just one day's rain. What happens if it rains for three days?

"The Environment Agency are covering their backs after last time's cock-up. They have to start dredging the river, like they did in the old days. They need to be cutting back trees - the river should be able to flow naturally."

Debbie Duncan lives in Parliament Street, Norton, and works at Polar Motors in Church Street, which was badly hit by the floods six weeks ago.

All the cars have been moved off the forecourt of the garage.

She said: "When I heard there was an amber flood warning I thought 'not again'.

"They need to do something about the river. This proves that it could easily happen again."

Derek Horsley, postmaster of Norton Post Office, in Church Street, said: "I heard a crunching at the door this morning and I thought we had a break-in. But it was workmen depositing sandbags."

An Environment Agency spokesman said today that the River Derwent had peaked in Malton two metres above normal levels at 9pm yesterday, and at Stamford Bridge 1.4 metres above normal today at 7am.

John Davison, of Ryedale District Council, rejected criticism that it had overreacted.

He said: "Following consultation with the Environment Agency and considering the potential height that the River Derwent may reach, and the fact that formal warnings could well be issued during the night, the decision was taken as a precaution to issue sandbags to properties that could be affected.

"We have not received any complaints from residents and feel that the action taken was appropriate."

Meanwhile, Ryedale Tory MP John Greenway expressed "disappointment" at the decision against a public inquiry, but said there was still a ray of hope.

see COMMENT 'Flood fears are bound to rise'

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