News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

York Live

Refresh for latest updates

York’s Bloom! Festival will not go ahead this year – but will be back next summer

A previous summer event in York – Bloom! 2018. Photograph: Richard McDougall

Make It York has today announced that Bloom! – York’s festival of horticulture – will not go ahead this summer.

The event was planned to take place across the city from 20-28 June, but has been cancelled due to the escalating uncertainties surrounding the impact of Covid-19.

MD of Make It York Sean Bullick said:

  • It is with deep sadness that we have made this decision, but ultimately it is the right thing to do given the uncertainties that we all face as a result of the ongoing coronavirus situation.

    We have had discussions with our festival main sponsor, York BID and our other valued partners and sponsors across the city and we are all in agreement that this is, unfortunately, a necessary step we must take at this time.

The BID and Make It York are now looking at how to bring Bloom! back in 2021.

Further details will be announced later in the year.

More cases of coronavirus confirmed in York

A woman wears a face mask near Shambles in York last week. Photograph: Richard McDougall

The latest official figures show that the number of cases of coronavirus in York has risen again.

As of today (Saturday, 21 March) there are now eight confirmed cases in the city.

That is a rise of two on the figures from yesterday. It means the number has doubled since Wednesday.

Meanwhile the total in North Yorkshire stands at 16 – two more than reported yesterday (Friday).

Nationally the coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 233 after NHS England said a further 53 people had died in England after testing positive.

It comes as Fiona Phillips, City of York Council Assistant Director for Public Health, shared some advice for people on maintaining your wellbeing.

York health group closes two doctors’ surgeries

York Medical Group's Monkgate surgery is still open. Photograph: yorkmedicalgroup.co.uk

York Medical Group has updated its working arrangements to adapt to the new circumstances.

It has closed its Water Lane and Woodthorpe surgeries. All doctor’s appointments will be changed to telephone consultations.

All nurse appointments have been cancelled for now. Nurses will contact patients to discuss rebooking appointments.

But it says:

  • If you need same day care our service is still running. Please call as normal and a GP will advise the best course of action.


It is locking the doors at all surgeries – they “will only be opened for those patients that have appointments, this is to keep staff safe so we can keep surgeries working”.

The group asks people not to visit the surgery to drop off a prescription. The advice”

“Please sign up for the NHS App or ring the surgery and verbally sign up for online services via the query lines.

“If you cannot access these services please can you post your prescription to the surgery.”

Full details on the York Medical Group website.

York council issues statement on school closures

Inside Huntington School. Photograph: school website

City of York Council have just issued this statement following the school closures announcement today:

City of York Council would like to reassure schools, early years and childcare providers, parents, carers and families that it’s continuing to support all education settings following today’s government announcement that schools and early years’ settings in England will be closing as of Friday afternoon until further notice.

The council is currently working through the details of today’s government announcement, particularly how we support schools to provide education settings to vulnerable young people and children of key workers. We continue to look further at how we can continue to support schools to provide children and young people with learning and development opportunities throughout this difficult time.


Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

  • We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for all schools, early years and childcare providers, parents, carers and families.

    Throughout the outbreak, we have been communicating and working with all education settings to keep them updated and help them prepare as best as they can.

    The council will work through the detail of the government’s announcement immediately. Making sure support is in place for children and families in the coming days in our priority and this includes exploring how we support the provision of free meals too.

For more information on school closures visit york.gov.uk/schoolclosures.

For more details about coronavirus visit york.gov.uk/coronavirus

Bridge cleared after rush hour accident

The three-vehicle collision on Clifton Bridge is now clear.

Police and ambulance crews went to the accident, which was reported at 7.50am. It was described by police as “very minor”.

The scene was clear by 8.35pm.

York crews tackle three fires and one water leak overnight

Library photograph: YorkMix

Fire crews from York were called out to four incidents overnight.

At 5.33pm a York crew went to a report of water leaking from a first floor flat in Bootham and into a commercial property below.

They entered the flat through an unlocked window and isolated the leak on a shower unit.

At 9.05pm a Huntington crew put out a fire in a large metal wheelie bin on Huntington Road. It is believed to have been started deliberately by youths.

A few minutes later at 9.14pm, crews from York and Acomb were alerted to a fire in a home on Farrar Street.

It was in the fuse cupboard, and caused fire, heat and smoke damage. Firefighters carried out an inspection and left the incident in the hands of the landlord and Northern Powergrid.

And at 11.07pm a crew from Acomb responded to a smoke alarm going off in a commercial property at Tockwith west of York.

On arrival they discovered a fire in a commercial kiln, which resulted in damage to wooden staging. They put out the fire. The cause is believed to be accidental.

Accident on York bridge causing delays

Reports are coming in of a crash on Clifton Bridge in York.

York Travel tweeted at 7.57am:

  • Reports of a road traffic collision on Clifton Bridge, queuing traffic both ways.

It is understood three vehicles are involved in the collision.

Traffic is building up in the Water End area and people are being asked to take alternative routes.

Police warn fraudsters are exploiting coronavirus to scam money

Fraudsters are exploit coronavirus concerns to con people from their money, North Yorkshire Police has warned.

The force wants people to be aware that these scams are on the rise.

Since February 2020, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified 21 reports of fraud where coronavirus was mentioned in Britain, with victim losses totalling over £800k.

Ten of these reports were made by victims that attempted to purchase protective face masks from fraudulent sellers.

Fraudsters are also sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails in an attempt to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive personal and financial details.

Fraudsters, purporting to be from legitimate organisations affiliated with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation (WHO), are contacting potential victims over email.

They claim to be able to provide the recipient with a list of coronavirus infected people in their area. In order to access this information, the victim needs to click on a link, which leads to a malicious website, or is asked to make a payment in Bitcoin

Firefighters work with paramedics after two elderly people collapse

Shortly after midnight this morning (Monday) firefighters were called out to assist an ambulance crew to help two elderly people in distress.

A fire crew from Acomb were called out to gain access to a property on Langholme Drive in York to treat the two occupants who had collapsed.

They used specialist tools to enter the house, enabling the medics to treat the couple.

Family of river victim fear he might have been murdered

Dame Judi Dench Walk was sealed off as emergency services recovered Joe Rainham's body. Photograph: Richard McDougall

The family of Joe Rainham, whose body was recovered from the River Ouse in October, have voiced their fears that he might have been murdered.

His brother Brighton and aunt Media have spoken to the York Press about their concerns over how he died.

Joe, a chef from Wilton Rise, was 33 when he died. Family members are convinced that his body was dumped in the river after he had died elsewhere after suffering from foul play.

Media told the Press:

  • If he had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the shock from falling into the river, he would have ingested water. Therefore, he must have suffered the arrest previously – unless it happened on the bank and he then fell in.

    But he was fit and healthy, and he hated water and never went near the river.”

They are campaigning for an inquest into his death. The coroner has said a decision about that would be made this week.

Car hits a wall in York

Clifton Green in York. Photograph © Google Street View

A car left a busy junction and hit a wall in York today (Sunday).

It happened on Clifton Green at about 2.30pm.

Police and fire crews from Acomb and York stations attended the crash, which involved only one car.

No one was trapped or injured. But the accident did cause traffic delays for a while.

Shared Earth sales up despite poor weather

Shared Earth on Minster Gates. Photograph © Google Street View

Shared Earth sales are up – despite the challenges of the weather.

According to a report in The Parliamentary Review, the Fair Trade company’s premises in York have been affected by floods caused by the recent storms.

Nevertheless its sales increased by 50 per cent for the 11 months of the year ending March 31 2020, according to Shared Earth managing director, Jeremy Piercy.

He told The Parliamentary Review:

  • This growth follows an average 30 per cent increase in sales every year for the last six years, confirming the huge trend towards eco products in particular and the fast-growing awareness of the climate crisis.

    The big increase in sales this year, when many other gift businesses are struggling, reflects the surge in awareness [of climate change] in the last year alone.

Police disperse youths after anti-social behaviour

Police have called on parents to keep tabs on what their children are doing after anti-social behaviour in Acomb.

The York South Twitter channel revealed that they had issued a ‘direction to disperse’ to youths in Front Street after reports of bad behaviour last night (Tuesday).

Officers tweeted:

  • PARENTS if you believe your children are in the area of Front Street and Foxwood please ring them and ask what they are doing.

    It’s not just our responsibility!

Crews tackle car fire on the A64

Fire crews from Acomb and York were called out last night to a car on fire off the A64.

It happened at about 7.45pm on a slip road leading to the A64 at Copmanthorpe.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire. The cause is believed to be an electrical fault.

Police appeal after man, 22, dies in Sherburn in Elmet collision

Police are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage after a 22-year-old man died in a collision near Sherburn-in-Elmet.

It happened on at about 9.15pm on Sunday (1 March) when a red Mini Cooper travelling along Fenton Lane towards Church Fenton, left the road and came to rest in a field.

The driver and sole occupant of the car, a 22-year-old man from the Tadcaster area, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where he sadly died.

Anyone who saw the Mini travelling along Fenton Lane, or saw the vehicle leave the road, including any dash-cam footage, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Traffic Constable Michael Rowan or email [email protected].

Please quote incident number 12200036516 when calling.

Roadworks start on Fishergate and Castle Mills Bridge

Castle Mills Bridge
Five weeks of disruption start today as roadworks are brought in on Castle Mills Bridge.

The bridge will be down to one lane in both directions to allow for the work, which includes repairs and maintenance.

These restrictions are in place around the clock, and are expected to cause delays.

Bus catches fire in York

A bus caught fire on Tadcaster Road in York this morning.

The fire in the engine compartment had spread to the passenger area.

Fire crews from York and Acomb were called out at 9.38am. The fire was out when they arrived, and the driver and passengers were safely off the bus.

Serious accident closes the A19 at York

Photograph: Lewis Clarke on Geograph

Police, fire and ambulance crews are at an accident that has closed the A19 near York.

The crash took place near the Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel on Shipton Road. Reports say an HGV has collided with a car.

Fire crews are using cutting gear to rescue a female passenger.

Police are asking motorists to avoid the area, and buses are being diverted:

Pictures of the river at its peak last night

These pictures showing the River Ouse pretty much at its 4.4m peak yesterday are from photographer about town, the very talented Lewis Outing.

They include an image of the Peckitt Street pump working hard to keep the waters at bay.

The river levels are now set to gradually fall.

Photograph: Lewis Outing
Photograph: Lewis Outing
Photograph: Lewis Outing

Tuesday flooding update – the roads affected

Skeldergate today. Photograph: YorkMix

The river level remains high and is affecting a number of roads in and around York.

As at Tuesday (25 February):

  • Skeldergate is closed.
  • Tower Street is open.
  • A19 at Germany Beck – pumps are in place to deal with any surface water. We expect that the road will continue to stay open.
  • Fordlands Road is closed. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is providing a shuttle service for residents.
  • B1222 Naburn Lane is closed.
  • Main Street, Nether Poppleton is closed.
  • Acaster Lane is closed.
  • Millennium Bridge is closed.
  • Knavesmire Road is closed.

Here are the bus routes affected by the floods

This table, from iTravel York, gives details of which bus routes are affected by floods.

As a guide, at 5pm today (Tuesday, 25 February) the river level was 4.45m.

River level*Roads closedBus routes affectedDiversion
3.55mMain St. (Nether Poppleton)10Dikelands Lane, Ebor Way
3.90mAcaster Lane21Appleton Road
3.90mB1222 Naburn Lane42A19
4.00mSkeldergate3, 3A, 4, 59, ZAPNunnery Lane, Bishopgate St.
4.00mSkeldergate45, 46, X46Rougier St, Station Rd, Nunnery Lane
4.3mFordlands Road25, 26Terminate services on Fulford Main St.
4.80m pA19 Selby Rd7, 18, 36, 42, 415A64, Hull Road
4.80m pTower St.3, 3A, 4, 59, ZAPTerminate at Rail Station
4.80m pTower St.7, 42, 66, 415Piccadilly, Merchantgate
5.45mClifton Green2, 2A, 19, 29, 30, 31XA1237, Boroughbridge Rd.
5.45mA19 Shipton Rd2, 2A, 29, 30, 31XA1237, Boroughbridge Rd.
5.45mSalisbury Road2, 2A, 10, 19, 29, 30, 31XPoppleton Rd.
5.45mHamilton Drive16York Rd.

Here’s the river level – live and updated

This live gauge showing the River Ouse level at Viking Recorder, is from Gauge Map.

It is updated hourly.

Keith Aspden responds to Fordlands Road flooding concerns

Keith Aspden in front of a flooded Fordlands Road. Photograph: York Lib Dems

We reported yesterday on the concerns of residents in Fordlands Road in Fulford, about the flooding they are suffering.

Council leader Keith Aspden – who also happens to be the Liberal Democrat councillor for Fulford and Heslington – has now responded. He said:

  • Residents in Fulford should not have to suffer from the flooding on Fordlands Road and Fordlands Crescent. This is an issue I and many local residents have long been campaigning on.

    Although it’s welcome that volunteers, additional Council staff, pumps and tankers have been deployed today, with Yorkshire Water, the concerns of the local community must be taken on board.

    What is most important here is to ensure flood protection for the wider community, including Fordlands Road, Fordlands Crescent and the A19.

    A flood defence scheme developed in isolation, for example, just to protect the A19, would not be acceptable to the community.

YorkMix #ad

He said having secured £500K from the council, “agencies including the Environment Agency, must now urgently bring forward a plan and consultation.

“It is time to challenge partners to develop a joined up flood plan for Fulford.”

Cllr Aspden has launched a petition calling for just that.

He has also been talking to David Dunning of Minster FM about the situation.

River could peak as high as 4.72m tomorrow

A road underwater off Skeldergate in York on Tuesday. Photograph: YorkMix

In the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, we could be approaching squeaky bum time.

The latest forecast from the Flood Information Service is that the River Ouse could peak at 4.72m.

It is predicted to reach that level at 11pm tonight (Tuesday, 25 February).

City of York Council have consistently said the city’s flood defences will hold water up to 4.8m, so it’s getting close.

Skeldergate remains closed today.

Skeldergate in York

‘Nothing’s been done to help us’

“All this flooding since 2000 – nothing’s been done to help us whatsoever.”

Residents at Fordlands Road in Fulford have been explaining their frustrations to David Dunning of Minster FM.

River levels – Monday gallery

Here are some pictures showing the River Ouse at around 1pm today.

York city centre remains mostly unaffected by the localised flooding, and is very much open for business.

River level is falling in York

It looks like the River Ouse has peaked.

The last recorded level for the river in York was 4.44m at noon today (Monday).

That was a fall from the high at around 6.30am of 4.48m.

The snow and rain has now cleared, and there’s very little rain in the forecast for the next few days.

Monday morning update: River due to peak by 9.30am

Source: The Flood Warning Information Service
The River Ouse has now surpassed its previous 2020 peak and at 8am on Monday was recorded at 4.47m.

It is due to rise for the next hour, with a forecasted peak reached at 9.30am of 4.61m.

That’s very high, but comfortably under the 4.8m required to breach the flood defences.


It is then due to start falling, down to a predicted 4.16m by 7am tomorrow (Tuesday 25 February).

According to the latest Met Office weather forecast, the snow and rain this morning will stop by lunchtime.

The there is little rain in the forecast until the end of the week.

Firefighters wade in to rescue people from car stuck in floodwater

The rescue at Naburn. Photograph: Station Manager Tony Walker on Twitter

Firefighters have rescued two people stuck in a car in floodwater at Naburn.

Station Manager Tony Walker tweeted out pictures of the rescue which took place this afternoon.

Crews from York and Acomb were called to the scene and were more than knee-high in floodwater when they reached
the Volvo near Naburn marina. They brought a man and a woman to dry ground.

He said firefighters responded because the safety and wellbeing of the driver and passenger were at risk.

The flood was clearly signposted.

Mr Walker said: “The driver ignored the obvious sign and visible flooding. We will not recover vehicles! Do not drive through flood water!”

He added that he had offered them some “sound advice”.

‘It’s very hard to keep positive when this keeps happening’

Another business owner struggling to stay positive in the face of the ongoing bad weather is Becky Wensley.

She runs Tower Vue Café on Tower Street, and says trade has been badly hit this half term.

Speaking to David Dunning of Minster FM Becky said:

  • We’re very tired after the week that we’ve had, plus the worry about the river.

    You need to be open because there have been visitors to York. But it’s very hard to keep positive when this keeps happening.

She estimates the café has lost between £1,000 and £1,500 this week. And the cancellation of the Battle Spectacular finale to the Jorvik Viking Festival also hit business.

  • This week is normally one of the busiest weeks we have.

    It always has been because of the Viking Festival… This Saturday and Sunday was supposed to be our main weekend – and it just went flat.

Flood hit businesses in York tell of their anguish

Open for business – Plonkers on Cumberland Street. Photograph: Plonkers Winebar on Facebook
Sunday newspaper The Observer has been reporting in York as part of its flooding coverage.

You can read the full story on the Guardian website here.

But here are a few quotes which shows how difficult these past weeks have been for riverside businesses.

Plonkers owner Leann Williams says that a pump system means the bar is still open during the floods, but people assume it’s closed when they see water at the end of Cumberland Street. She said:

  • I’ve had this business for 30 years, and I have flooded nearly every year.

    I’ve listened to every story and every solution and every promise, and nothing will get done, it just stays the same.

    This street is known as the flooded street, so we’re the one that’s classed as closed. It’s half-term and it’s just awful. It’s horrendous.

    I get really emotional about it because it’s 30 years and I’m at the point now where I’ve had enough, I want out. For 30 years I’ve provided jobs in this city. I’m done, I don’t want to do it any more. It’s heartbreaking.

Dyls Café Bar on Skeldergate Bridge is another on the frontline. Malcolm Dyl has spent about £80,000 on flood barriers and water pumps to keep the business safe, he told the Observer’s Jessica Murray:

  • We’re suffering extremely badly at the moment.

    When the water is up, somebody has to sleep here all night because the electric could cut. If the electric cuts we have to put a generator on – it costs money.

    What if this time it does come up over the barrier? It’s very close to. It will wipe our business out completely.

    Our trade is down by 80% this February compared to last year, so you can imagine our cash flow. Our budget has gone out the window. Everybody I speak to, I just don’t get any help.

York sandwich shop gives away free sausages after Storm Dennis ruins trade

Photograph: Shambles Kitchen
A York sandwich shop is giving away sausage sandwiches to homeless people after the storms ruined trade this week.

Shambles Kitchen says in a Facebook post:

  • We need your help. Storm Dennis has ruined trade this week so we have loads of sausages left.

    Help us get the message out to the homeless or anyone else in York in need of a feed.

You can go down to their stall near Pret in Parliament Street for a free Bratwurst if you’re in need, or it’s £3 for those that can afford to pay to help cover wages and rent.

They’ll be serving till about 4.30pm.

York river level set to surpass last week’s peak

The York flood warnings map on Sunday morning

The latest flood forecasts suggest the River Ouse in York will rise higher than it did last Monday.

On that day it reached a little over 4.4m. But the latest forecast from the Flood Warning Information Service says levels will rise to 4.65m by 7.15am tomorrow (Sunday 24 February).

York’s river defences can hold the water to a level of 4.8m.

As of 8am the recorded level was 4.24m.

There are currently ten flood warnings in and around York:

Saturday evening – River level update

The River Ouse just before 6pm on Saturday, pictured on the Farson Digital Water Cam

The River Ouse is rising, and may reach the levels of last Monday.

You can read our main story about this here.

In York on Saturday evening the river had reached 3.62m. If it does peak at 4.5m or less tomorrow, as expected, the defences should hold.

Four flood warnings are in place right now:

Full details on the Flood Warning Information Service.

Roads affected

  • Clementhorpe has a flood defence closing the road just after the junction with River Street
  • the B1222 in Naburn and Acaster Lane is closed due to flooding
  • Main Street, Nether Poppleton is now open, but may flood again.

Council staff are carrying out additional inspections of the highway and preparing to repair potholes, caused by flood water.

Yellow warnings for rain in York added for Monday

The yellow warnings for rain issued by the Met Office for Monday, 24 February

The Met Office has issued rain warnings covering York this Monday (24 February).

There is already a yellow warning for rain in effect for today (Friday) at midday which runs into tomorrow at 6am.

That has been joined by two yellow warnings for rain on Monday, from midnight to 3pm.

The forecast is likely to raise concerns about the River Ouse rising again, but there is no projection as yet of it getting as high as it was at the start of the week.

The latest flood level forecast runs till 9.15am tomorrow, when it is predicted to rise again to 3.54m.

Here are the latest weather warning and river level forecasts for York

The yellow weather warning for rain from the Met Office for Friday, 21 February

More rain is on the way and the York river levels are expected to rise.

The Met Office has put out yellow weather warnings for the next two days which cover York.

The warning runs from Friday (21 Feb) @ 12pm-Sat (22 Feb) @ 6am, and says: “Persistent rain, heavy over hills, may lead to flooding and travel disruption during Friday and Friday night.”

As of 9am today (Thursday, 20 February) the River Ouse in central York was 3.42m, down a full metre from its peak.

But it is forecast to rise to 3.91m by 7am tomorrow, and the City of York Council are asking residents to keep an eye out for the latest Environment Agency info and alerts.

There are six flood warnings still in place in and around York:

The clean up operation has begun after the floods

Work has begun to clean up after the riverside flooding post-Storm Dennis.

City of York Council’s clean-up operation started yesterday (Wednesday, 19 February), but flood defences are staying firmly in place to continue protecting the city as heavy rain is expected this weekend.

Council leader Keith Aspden said:

  • As our clean-up operation starts, you’ll see our front line teams sweeping and cleaning paths and cycle routes across the city from today. We’ll also be carrying out additional inspections of our roads to repair potholes.

    York remains vibrant and exciting as usual, offering lots of activities and events for residents and visitors over this half-term.

Two drivers clocked at more than 90mph on A64

Photograph: North Yorkshire Police Traffic Bureau on Twitter

Two drivers were clocked travelling at more than 90mph on the A64 last night.

This was in spite of poor driving conditions.

North Yorkshire Police Traffic Bureau posted this picture on Twitter and said:

  • A64 last night and despite the poor weather conditions, two drivers thought it was acceptable to travel in excess of 90mph.

    The risks and stopping distances increase in poor weather. Please Slow Down and Stay Safe.

Bridges to be checked for damage as flood waters recede

Ouse Bridge in York on 17 February. Photograph: YorkMix

Now that the water levels are dropping thoughts are turning to safety and recovery.

YorkMix reader and photographer extraordinaire Anthony Chappel-Ross asked an important question about the state of the bridges in the wake of the flooding.

We’ve asked the question to City of York Council – and the answer is, yes.

This is from James Gilchrist, assistant director for transport, highways and environment:

  • Currently there are no signs of any serious damage as a result of the recent stormy weather.

    However, as is responsible we will be checking our roads and bridges as part of the recovery work, which will take place in the coming days.

Theft from a York taxi – Do you recognise him?

The man police want to talk to
North Yorkshire Police appealing for information after man failed to pay taxi fare

The incident happened on 28 December 2019 between 8am – 9am when a male took a taxi from York Train Station. He travelled to Selby in the taxi, before returning to Riccall Business Park in York. He then left the taxi without paying his fare.

Officers are asking members of the public to get in touch if they recognise the man in the image as they believe he will have information that could help the investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Paul Orange or email [email protected]

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12190236571 when passing on information.

Ten flood warnings remain in place

Even if the immediate danger from major flooding has thankfully receded, ten flood warnings remain in and around York.

They are:

The flood warnings page for York is here.

Video: Flood defences stay in place to protect York

Water levels are dropping, but York’s flood defences are staying firmly in place.

The River Ouse peaked at 4.43m on Monday – the highest it has reached since the 2015 floods – but the defences did their job.

Since then levels have fallen and at noon today (Wednesday, 19 February) it was at 3.7m.

City of York Council continues to work closely with the York and North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which includes police and fire services as well as North Yorkshire County Council, Met Office and Environment Agency.

Skeldergate reopened today after the waters receded. That follows Fetter Lane, Baille Hill, Knavesmire Road and Fordlands Road reopening.

Leader of the council Keith Aspden said teams were visiting residents in flood-risk areas “to assess their needs and give the latest advice and information and I would like to thank residents for their patience and support as the city deals with storms on consecutive weekends”.

Another York road closed by floodwater

City of York Council says that Knavesmire Road is now closed to traffic by floodwater.

These pictures by David Dunning show the water covering the road.

Knavesmire Road

York firefighters called to car stuck in floodwater

A timely reminder from the fire service.

Some pictures of the river as it peaked today

Flashback to 17 February, looking over to the Kings Arms. Photographs: Richard McDougall

These pictures of the River Ouse were taken today by YorkMix photographer Richard McDougall.

They were taken around the time the river hit its peak. Hopefully it’s all downhill from here.

This high and no higher… Dame Judi Dench Walk shortly before 11am on Monday
The Grand Opera House took precautions but escaped the floodwaters
Woodsmill Quay and the Lowther
The flood barriers do their job

Flood level forecast lowered – ‘We’re really relieved’ says council leader

It looks more and more like York has dodged a bullet.

The latest prediction for the peak level of the River Ouse is 4.6m, below the level that would overcome the city’s defences.

City of York Council leader Keith Aspden said:

  • We were really relieved to hear from the Environment Agency this afternoon the revised prediction for the river level to 4.6m.

    And the city’s defences are 4.8m.


He said the council had done all it could over the weekend to prepare. Now it was time to recognise that the floodwaters are still here, “but also looking to the future in terms of making a case to government and the Environment Agency for more certainty”.

  • With climate change it can’t just be about flood defences to stop the water.

    We’re going to have to look at reducing the amount of water. So for example, work upstream, landscaping, as well as flood defences.

    For the Environment Agency the big challenge is you need to spend the money that you’ve been given by the government. But you also need to help individual householders.

    For too long a lot of this work has been too slow. This is another big reminder about why in cities like York we need to speed up that work.

Four roads remain closed in York

Underlining the fact that York is very much O4B (open for business) is that only four roads are closed by the flooding. They are:

  • Skeldergate
  • B1222 Naburn Lane
  • Main Street, Nether Poppleton
  • Acaster Lane.