A TRANSPORT minister has visited an industrial estate blighted by flooding issues to see the problems they have to contend with.

Andrew Jones MP was told by bosses of leading manufacturing firms how the main access to Dalton Industrial Estate, near Thirsk, had been closed three times already this winter after the Cod Beck river burst its banks flooding the road.

He was told how flooding at the gateway to the estate, where more than 850 people work in businesse ranging from steel fabrication to pet food production, often resulted in the narrow stone hump-backed bridge being closed for several days, which led to lengthy diversions.

To overcome the issue, businesses are jointly funding the building of a new elevated road, flood embankments and bridge with Hambleton and North Yorkshire councils to give a one in 100-year flood protection to the estate.

Roy Fishwick managing director of Cleveland Steel and Tubes, said the firms were delighted to receive the minister's attention.

He said: “I appreciate the time and effort in light of all of the significant flood events over the festive period.

"I understand that people are questioning the priority of this scheme, but I would like to emphasise the businesses are responsible for the delivery of this scheme and are providing a very significant proportion of the funding, on top of our normal tax and rates payments."