Environment Agency engineers said without the £750,000 scheme, which is nearing completion, hundreds of homes would have been inundated this week.

Contractors were still on site in Cawood finishing off as the River Ouse rose on Tuesday to about 7.9 metres above the normal low tide level.

Mark Fuller, Environment Agency technical specialist, said: “Without the repairs which have been carried out this year the defences would not have stood up to the floodwater and either would have failed or needed emergency repairs.

“Floodwater was up against the damaged section and could have caused a serious problem, putting hundreds of homes at risk from floodwater. We’re really pleased with how the new wall at Cawood has performed – there was no seepage in the joints between the old and new wall sections.

“There was a small amount of seepage around the flood gate, but this did not put any properties at risk. We’ve spoken to the contractors and they will look again at the gate once water levels fall.”

Meanwhile, major roads in the York area – including the A19 at Fulford and Skeldergate – were re-opened yesterday after the level of the River Ouse gradually fell from a peak of almost 4.5 metres early on Tuesday.

An agency spokeswoman said the rain on Tuesday night was not sufficient to lead to any subsequent rise in levels last night.

Flood alerts remained in force yesterday around several rivers, including the Derwent at Stamford Bridge and Buttercrambe.