A MAJOR route into York has re-opened after floodwaters subsided.

The A19 at Fulford was closed just hours into the New Year yesterday when the River Ouse rose to 4.5 metres above normal summer levels, following heavy rain on New Year’s Eve.

Commuters heading into York this morning on their first day back at work after the festive break had to take alternative routes, such as the A1079 Hull Road, which became congested.

The river had subsided by this morning to 4.2 metres above normal, and will continue to fall slowly, according to the Environment Agency, and City of York Council removed barriers blocking the A19 at 10am.