FLOOD warnings were issued to householders living near the River Foss and tributary becks in York as motorists suffered lengthy delays caused by surface flooding on major roads.

The River Foss, Tang Hall Beck and Osbaldwick Beck rose yesterday morning after Thursday’s torrential rain was followed by the failure of four out of the eight pumps at the Foss Flood Barrier.

The Environment Agency warned residents living near the Foss, in streets such as Huntington Road, Haley’s Terrace and Yearsley Crescent, and also people living near the becks, that they were at risk of being flooded. Traffic also had to force its way through floodwater about nine inches deep in Huntington Road at one stage.

David Guthrie, of Yearsley Crescent, said he had received an automatic telephone warning call from the agency telling him that his property was at risk and items should be moved to higher levels.

A spokesman said the alert was issued as a precautionary measure at 9.34am after the pumps – which remove water from the Foss and empty it into the River Ouse – were affected by a technical problem.

He said firefighters attended to help pump water but he did not believe their assistance was needed, and he said water levels fell after the pumps were repaired.

A warning was also issued at the Weir Caravan park, alongside the River Derwent, at Stamford Bridge.

The Ouse in York was expected to peak yesterday evening at 3.75 metres (12 feet 4 inches) above normal summer levels, causing flooding of riverside paths, the staiths and a couple of riverside properties.

The agency said there had been a significant amount of rain in 24 hours, with up to 40mm falling in places.

A brief respite was expected until tomorrow, when heavy rain is once again expected. On the roads, some of the worst problems yesterday happened on the A1237 outer ring road, where standing water almost brought traffic to a standstill.

There were also lengthy delays on the A59 and A19, and in the area around the Monks Cross shopping park.