RESIDENTS of a Wensleydale village are furious after planned flood prevention work was not carried out as promised for a second time in six months.

Negotiations on flood prevention between residents of Spennithorne, near Leyburn, and North Yorkshire County Council have been underway since 2012.

In June 2012 several houses in the village were seriously affected by flooding – and a possible source of a threat was identified as a culvert under the main road that has two water mains passing through it.

Remedial work was to be carried out in July 2015 that would necessitate excavating the road, removing several pipes and valves and resurfacing afterwards.

However a last-minute hitch saw the expected work cancelled – no explanation was given at the time to residents, who were angry they had not been kept informed.

In November Yorkshire Water informed residents the work would be carried out in December, but once again the flood prevention work was cancelled without explanation.

George Molyneaux, whose own house has been affected by the flooding for several years, said: “When we had the letter saying the work would be carried out we made arrangements to park and many residents drew water as it was to be cut off.

"When no one had arrived by Tuesday I rang up to be told that they had a number of leaks to be deal that were a priority.

“I am really angry that not only did they not carry out the work that needs to be done, but they didn’t even bother to tell anyone.”

Den Tansey from Yorkshire Water said: "The work in Spennithorne involves isolating two water pipes that run through the culvert that runs through the centre of the village and then diverting them out of the culvert.

“Unfortunately the work was postponed at last minute because there were a number of leaks that needed fixing urgently.

“We are sorry and do apologise to our customers in Spennithorne who made preparations in readiness for the work. In future we will try to get the message out about any changes to plans via our social media channels or by phone if it's too late to send letters.

“We will be back in touch with residents when we have rescheduled the work."