FLOODING problems in Skinningrove are to be thrashed out at national level.

Local MP Dr Ashok Kumar has clinched a meeting with Mr Elliott Morley, the government minister with responsibility for flood problems.

A delegation from East Cleveland will meet him in London in the new year.

The news was delivered to villagers at a packed meeting on Tuesday, called by Dr Kumar to give Skinningrove residents a chance to question representatives from Northumbrian Water.

"All the issues will be put to Mr Morley," said Dr Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. "The situation will be looked at at the highest level."

More positive news came as Mr Ralph Ferguson, technical services director for Redcar and Cleveland council, revealed a high-level task force was being set up to handle emergency arrangements, particularly in Skinningrove and Yarm.

Mr Ferguson said he had met Cleveland's chief constable, chief fire officer and chief ambulance officer to discuss the new scheme. Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and the utilities will also be invited to join.

Mr Ferguson said this was a major step forward in the battle to get Skinningrove beck re-classified as a main river to qualify for Environment Agency upgrading.

Work on the council's flood defence scheme was good and ahead of schedule. Measures include a flood wall, flood gates across the bridge, a debris screen upstream and an early warning system for heavy rainfall.

Mr Andrew Blakemore was jeered when he said NW had mobilised all its resources during the floods.

Resident Mr Adrian Hill said: "It has taken you six months to even realise there is a question here. Villagers want to see action, not promises. It's not too much to ask. "

Operations director Mr John Cuthbert said: "We did not need any pressure to come to see you. We are doing what is necessary to meet revised standards.

"I can give you a pledge that the work will be done and if I don't keep my promises, I will come back and face you."

Margaret Evans said residents were worried about the screens. "We have been told they will be monitored and cleaned but can we rely on this," she asked.

"We have to live with sewage coming down that beck. The stink is horrendous. We can't even open our windows."

Project manager Mr Dave Mitchell said NW was working hard on a new sewage treatment works for Skinningrove and the problem of sewage seeping into the beck.

Ward councillor Coun Steve Kay said: "Many people felt NW was conspicuous by its absence during the floods when sewage and water combined to devastate the village."

Coun Barry Hunt, a Loftus

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