York in the grip of the weather (From York Press)

York in the grip of the weather

11:18am Saturday 13th January 2007 in

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"ONE of these days it's going to collapse, and it's going to be like a tidal wave."

Those were the words of local resident Harry Reeves reacting to news that vital flood defences protecting 500 homes in Leeman Road are unlikely to be improved next year as hoped.

A report due to be discussed at the Yorkshire Regional Defence Committee next Thursday suggests that the Leeman Road embankment has not accrued enough "points" to justify spending the money on bolstering it.

Coun Andrew Waller, deputy leader of City of York Council and executive member for neighbourhood services, sits on the flood defence committee.

Speaking as a councillor, he said the embankment will hold but he is concerned for the future, particularly in the light of climate change. He said more money should be made available for capital schemes.

The news comes after water levels in the River Ouse rose to 4.4 metres above the norm, with the river lapping at the bottom of the Leeman Road defences.

That level is the highest since January, 2005, and just a metre short of the record-breaking levels of 2000.

Mr Reeves, who lives just off Leeman Road, added that St Barnabas' School has been built nearer the river than its previous location and that, if the defensive earthworks are breached, the water is sure to head in the direction of Leeman Road.

He said he believed the current flood embankment could only take so much.

He said: "It's only packed clay and soil.

"The last time the river was up in 2000, it was starting to seep through and was in danger of collapsing. They need to build something better than a mound of soil.

"They talk about it and they allocate money but a month later they say no, we can't do that, the money's going somewhere else'."

The Press told last year how the Environment Agency's budget had been slashed because of increased costs at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs due to the fiasco over the single farm payment scheme.

The budget for flood defence works in Yorkshire for 2007/08 is likely to be about £16 million. The scheme to enhance Leeman Road's defences would cost about £1.7 million.

County swamped by roads misery

THOUSANDS of motorists were caught up in chaos on the roads yesterday after a major route out of the city was swamped by floodwater.

The southbound lane of the A19 Selby Road was closed late yesterday morning at Fulford, when water from the Ouse washed onto the highway. It remained closed in the early hours of today.

Traffic was diverted along Broadway and Heslington Lane towards the A1079 Hull Road, causing misery for rush-hour drivers.

Skeldergate and St George's Field car park were both shut to traffic and council workers had sandbagged riverside streets including Peckitt Street and Tower Gardens.

The problems were exacerbated by roadworks at Crockey Hill and the closure of Naburn Lane, which people were using to avoid the A19 jams.

Press features writer Charlotte Percival, from Selby, endured a nightmare two hours through traffic jams and flood water to reach York, only for her car to break down.

"I crossed the first bit of water just before Naburn but everyone was turning away from the second because it was too deep," she said.

"We had to turn round and drive down a one-track back road to rejoin the queues at Crockey Hill. After all that, my car overheated in Fulford."

Buses in the city continued to run as normal, but with diversions in place.

By about 1pm yesterday, the River Ouse was 4.4 metres above normal levels, but the Environment Agency was hoping the waters would recede over the next few days.

If the river had risen to 4.6 metres above normal levels then many more properties would have been affected.

But events have been hit. Last night's High Grade dance event at City Screen York was cancelled and tomorrow's comedy night was also called off because of flooding in the basement.

The Tower Pantry caf opposite Clifford's Tower was also closed due to the water.

In Selby, flood warnings were in place at Cawood, but a spokesman for Selby District Council said they were not aware of any flooding but were monitoring the situation.

Colin Newbury, general manager for Arriva at its Selby depot, said that as far as possible services were running as normal.

Mr Newbury said buses were having to use the A64 to get into the city and some routes were stopping at the York Designer Outlet.

Mr Newbury said the problems were compounded by roadworks at Crockey Hill.

Around the county, strong winds made driving treacherous for motorbikes and high-sided vehicles.

On the A19 near Shipton-by-Beningborough, a lorry was turned onto its side. Although it was on the verge, traffic problems were caused by drivers slowing down to look at the scene. The driver was taken to York Hospital, but his injuries were not believed to be serious.

The A1 northbound lane was closed at midday after a lorry overturned north of Leeming, and the A66 was closed to high-sided vehicles.

The Helperby to Cundall road was also closed after the River Swale burst its banks.