York council deploys flood defences as river levels expected to reach 4.3m
York’s leaders are tonight reassuring residents that the city is prepared as river levels are forecasted to continue to rise and peak around 4.3m over the weekend.
Although high, that level is below the deployed defences.
The council is working with the Environment Agency, 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.
Here are the flood defences deployed by City of York Council so far:
- Sandbag barriers are being constructed at Tower Gardens and Tower Street, together with a pump to clear water, while flood boards have been installed at Peckitt Street
- City Mills bridge will be installed today
- St George’s Field will remain closed and Esplanade car park will be closed today
- Rowntree Park will remain closed due to high river levels.
- Riverside paths in the city and access roads in Poppleton and Naburn will be affected
- Any residential properties likely to be affected are resilient to flooding at these levels, but residents are advised to follow their personal flood plans.
- Flood pumps and defences will be deployed for the Fordlands Road and A19 area in Fulford and levels will be monitored.
Cllr Paula Widdowson, executive member for climate change, said: “We want to reassure residents that we’re doing everything we can to protect our city, as well as provide support and advice at this time.
“Our frontline teams have been deployed in line with our flood plan and flood defences are in place to help protect the city as river levels rise. Whilst the river is high we aren’t expecting at this stage to see river levels as high as we saw last year.
“We’re immediately putting in place the local and citywide flood defences ahead of time, and any resident or business at risk of flooding should also put their own flood plans in place. We’ll provide sandbags to communities at immediate risk of flooding – so you don’t need to contact us.
“We’re also asking for you to please check on your neighbours and friends. York remains open for business but we ask that all residents take care to avoid flooded areas such as riverside paths and cycle ways.”