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09
Feb
How did this happen in Knaresborough?
A repair operation and questions about safety are expected to be addressed today following yesterday’s apparent landslip at Waterside in Knaresborough.
The pedestrian walkway Viaduct Terrace collapsed into the River Nidd in the afternoon (February 8).
The walkway on Waterside, which is almost directly beneath the viaduct that carries trains on the line between Harrogate and York, is a popular spot for tourists.
It appears nobody was hurt but the collapse of a popular walkway on a Sunday afternoon raises safety questions.
Trains were cancelled for several hours after the incident.
Viaduct Terrace on Waterside before the landslip.
There has still been no official statement about the incident, but Knaresborough councillor Matt Walker gave an update last night in which he said there had been a multi-agency response involving police, the Environment Agency, Northern Powergrid and North Yorkshire Council’s highways department.
Cllr Walker said this morning police were expected to be stood down today before and investigation is carried out and repairs conducted.
The area was cordoned off last night.
Waterside resident Angela Mountain, who lives near the affected area, said family members were standing on the terrace at the time but were unhurt.
Ms Mountain added:
The river has eroded away the ground underneath the paving and the whole thing collapsed down towards the river. The viaduct was checked and deemed safe so trains started running at about 9.30 pm last night.
Investigations are expected to focus on how the incident happened and whether there are risks of repeat.
The incident occurred after weeks of wet weather, This morning an Environment Agency flood alert is in effect on low lying land around the Lower River Ure at Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton.
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