York riverside route finally back open after flood gates fitted
The barriers under Lendal Arch have gone and walkers and cyclists can finally make their way by the river again.
The Wellington Row path has reopened after the Environment Agency completed flood defence works.
Originally planned to take three months, the installation of improved flood gates under the arch of Lendal Bridge actually took near double that due to a series of delays.
The work reduces the risk of flooding to 39 homes and businesses between Scarborough Bridge and Ouse Bridge.
The £2.5 million project is part of the York Flood Alleviation Scheme, where £45 million is being invested in the city to better protect 2,000 homes from flooding. As part of the works, the Environment Agency has:
- raised the flood wall and replaced all of the gates on North Street, and installed demountable flood barriers at two entrances to Memorial Gardens
- built a new flood wall and embankment between War Memorial Gardens and Leeman Road
- widened the flood gate at the upper end of North Street Gardens to improve access to the riverside
- waterproofed the car park under the Park Inn and our Community Flood Hub building.
‘Complex but essential’
The final stage of the scheme has involved installing taller and stronger flood gates under Lendal Bridge.
The team has flood tested the new flood gate, using 3,500 litres of water.
During the works under Lendal Bridge, Environment Agency contractors used solar panels and a solar powered generator as part of efforts to lower carbon emissions during construction.
Mark Fuller, project lead at the Environment Agency, said: “This important work under one of York’s main bridges has been complex but essential to ensure we upgrade the flood gates to better protect homes and businesses, making them more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
“Installing a gate in this location has been challenging and has taken us longer than expected but the new gate is taller so it can protect against a higher flood level as well as achieving a greatly reduced leakage rate.
“We’re pleased we can reopen this route for pedestrians, cyclists and local businesses and we want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during construction.”