Masham Parish Council is discussing a number of ways to prevent further flooding.

Masham was hit by floods in February 2020 but since then has had several warnings as water levels rose in Swinney Beck. The continuing problem has forced the council to review the issue at each of its monthly meetings.

The council’s emergency committee aims to ensure a plan is in place if water levels rise and to work with the Environment Agency and local county and borough councils to put in preventative measures.

One of the affected areas from last year’s floods was Red Lane. It has a number of bridges and wall crossings over the beck which can slow down the clearance of water.

The council is currently talking to local landowners to see what can be done to improve this.

Valerie Broadley, the lead councillor for the council’s emergency planning committee said:

“We are exploring this with the owners to see if there is anything to do to raise the water clearance. This would be a short term solution but it is still being discussed.

“We are hopeful something could be done fairly quickly.”

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The environment agency has also suggested using heather baskets further up-stream to prevent the beck over-flowing into the town. The basket weaving technique has been used across the country to help control the flow of water.

Cllr Broadley has been researching the original course of the beck which is thought to have been diverted in the 1800s. Further exploration would need to be carried out to see if there is a way to re-route the beck to its original course in an attempt to prevent further flooding in Masham.

The council said this is a long term prevention method that could cost thousands and take years to complete.

Masham’s artisan market is set to make a comeback.

The town’s parish council this week approved plans to bring it back after locals called for a return. The last farmer’s market was August 2019.

The market is expected to take place on the second Sunday of each month from April to September next year.

Councillors will now listen to the proposals of local traders before giving the official go ahead.

It will have stalls selling farmers’ produce as well as other items. Masham already has Wednesday and Saturday markets.

Masham’s Wednesday markets are often busy with visitors looking to buy local produce.

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Councillor Ian Johnson said:

“Yes, we have passed it for next year in the summer season. It’ll mainly be the traders who will organise it, they think they can find a few traders in farm produce and artisan items so it sounds good.

“Our Saturday market is always popular. This weekend we have about 20 stalls so hopefully the new one will be a success too.”