PLANS to close the level crossing between Malton and Norton over a two month period have been met by anger from flood campaigners and local residents.

Network Rail is carrying out essential engineering work on the railway line near Malton station and further along the track.

As a result the crossing will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians on 29 occasions from October 25 to December 29.

On several weekends the closure will be between 10pm on Saturday and 7am on Monday morning while on different weekdays it will be from 10.55pm to 6.55am.

Norton resident Lee Williams, who works at Pro-Pak in Malton, said it was incredulous that the closures has been agreed at these times and it was going to affect a lot of local businesses and people.

"I bike to work and need to get over the crossing at 5.30am each morning," he added.

"We don't have a car so the diversion they have put in place, which is on the ring road, is a dangerous option."

Lee said he was not the only one who was concerned about getting to and from work.

"I am worried that I will be penalised if I can't get to work on time and what about those who work the late shift or overnight both at Pro-Pak and the bacon factory in Norton. There has been mention of a minibus service but noone had any details - it is all a shambles."

Amanda Sumpton, manager at Morrisons supermarkets in Malton, said they were doing all they could to minimise the affect on staff and trade.

"We trying to plan the staff rota so those affected can get to work on time without putting extra pressure on them," she added.

"The store is also looking at its stock intakes to plan around the closure but we are expecting a drop in sales on the Sundays."

Town and district councillor Di Keal said that while Network Rail had gone to great lengths to inform local people that the work was taking place those living in Malton and Norton would be more welcoming if it had also committed to helping to tackle the repeated serious flooding.

"Within weeks of the last major flood in November 2012, Network Rail met officers from Ryedale District Council, the Environment Agency and North Yorkshire County Council," she added.

"Flood victims had seen the massive pumping operation repeatedly suspended to allow trains to pass, leading flood water to rise each time, increasing the flood threat to more homes."

Councillor Keal said: "The track operator agreed at a meeting after that fiasco that it could help by installing hollow sleepers to house temporary pipes to be used during future floods but this has not yet happened."

Flood campaigner Howard Keal, who lives in Norton, said: "The complacency of the authorities is breathtaking.

"Virtually two years on from a major incident when properties were hit and many more put at risk, the county and district councils, Yorkshire Water and Network Rail are still failing to properly safeguard the town.

"We were promised that a project would be carried out to put a pipe under the rail line to make pumping away water much easier in an emergency but we've been told nothing despite repeated requests. It's just not good enough - the pipe should be being put in place during current work on the track but it isn't happening.

Mark Tarry, area director for Network Rail, said: “As a regular rail user I appreciate the impact that this work have on residents and passengers and thank them for their patience. We are working hard to minimise the disruption caused by this essential investment which will give us a fully renewed track and smoother rail journey in the future.”

He added: "We have investigated the possibility of installing hollow sleepers which the pipes could be fed through. However the pipes required are too wide so wouldn’t fit underneath the track. There are also limitations on where hollow sleepers can be installed in order to protect the safety of the railway.

"We worked closely with the Environment Agency and emergency services to keep trains moving while still supporting the pumping out last time and would do the same in any other flooding event."