A few days of heavy rain and snowmelt has exposed a flooding issue at a new housing estate in Boroughbridge.

Residents on Hockley Croft noticed flood water creeping onto the north side of the estate earlier this week, which soon turned into a small river.

Yesterday morning some woke up to a wider problem. What had been driveways and a park for children to play had become a lake of water.

Read more:

• Boroughbridge care home, garage and homeowners fight floods
• Football club’s fury at plans to axe Harrogate sports pitch for housing

Residents claim the developers, Harron Homes, had not mentioned the possibility of flooding and also claim council surveys failed to raise the issue.

This week saw some very heavy rain but some Boroughbridge residents fear their homes could be flooded if the weather is more severe in future.

We spoke to some of the residents on the estate who wanted to raise the issue anonymously.

Some had spent around £300,000 to more than £600,000 for a brand new house. They told the Stray Ferret:

“When the searches were done this wasn’t listed as a floodplain, there were no flooding issues raised. I guess that water is from the excess rain and maybe a lack of drainage.

“The flood water is quite close to the house. We don’t want these problems every time it rains.

“The weather has not really been much worse than normal so the drainage needs to be sorted out.”

A second person, who has lived on the estate for 18 months, also told the Stray Ferret:

“The flood water is running like the river near our house. Last night we were really scared, we thought the water was going to come up to our house.

“We weren’t warned about the flooding issues so it was a bit of a shock really.

“Funnily enough we have had to gravel our garden because it is so wet. It was like a flood in our garden last winter, so we had to dig it all up and re-do it all again.”

A spokespers​on for Harron Homes Yorkshire said:

“There has been unprecedented rainfall from Storm Christoph that has impacted many previously unaffected parts of the country.

“The adjacent open land at our Hockley Croft development in Boroughbridge has passed water on to the site which we are investigating with the land owner.

“We have helped our customers affected by the water from the fields by deploying a pump that has reduced the water levels and the situation is now under control with very little consequence and inconvenience to our customers.”

In the planning application from a couple of years ago Harrogate Borough Council said it had concerns about the surface water discharge rates.

“The applicant has stated that surface water from the proposed development is to be discharged directly to the River Ure via an attenuation pond.

“However they have not indicated how this will be achieved.

“Nevertheless the Environment Agency is responsible for administering surface water discharge from the new development to Milby Cut.”

A spokesperson for the council also told the Stray Ferret:

“Proposed development sites may need to carry out a flood risk assessment.

“A risk assessment, carried out by specialists, was considered as part of the planning process for this site.

“Relevant consultees raised no objections to its conclusions or proposed mitigation measures it contained.”

A Boroughbridge care home, garage and homeowners have been fighting against the floods with pumps and mops today.

Persistent rain from Storm Christoph caused water levels to rise, which caused particular problems for people living near the River Ure and Milby Cut Canal.

The level of the Ure peaked last night at about 15 metres as concerned residents watched on powerlessly.

Stephen Jenkins (pictured above), who owns the Riverside Court care home, has had water pumped out of the basement today. He told the Stray Ferret:

“I’ve been here since 1989. When Boroughbridge flooded in 1991 the care home was protected. But in 2000 the Environment Agency opened up this third arch of the bridge.

“Ever since then the water starts seeping out underneath the patio. If they don’t put that pump in it starts to flood. Unfortunately I can’t do anything about it now.

“My main concern is the boilers. Obviously being a care home we need to keep the central heating running at all times. We also have all of our fridges and freezers on pallets permanently.”

Malcolm Angus, who owns Canal Garage in Boroughbridge.

Flooding is also a long-running source of frustration for Malcolm Angus, owner of Canal Garage in Boroughbridge.

Read more:

• Eight flood alerts and warnings remain active
• Tense night ahead as worst of storm approaches

Mr Angus and staff have been mopping the floor today. He told the Stray Ferret:

“We have been lucky this time, the water has come up further before. There’s a burst water main up the road, which is bringing the water down.

“It pools at that junction and then comes across to the garage, that’s causing the problem at the moment, not the canal.

“Cars go through the water on the road and it flows down to us. We get no help. In terms of the canal I have lived here since 1995 and it has not been dredged once.”

Pumps have been out in force today.

On the nearby Milby Cut Canal, Nigel Crowther owns a home looking over the water. He remains calm about the situation:

“I have been keeping track on the Environment Agency website. It doesn’t matter what is happening in Boroughbridge, it’s about what is happening further up the catchment.

“So when you know it is going to be heavy rain for a sustained period you have to get ready so we have put up gates and we have a flood wall around our house.

“The levels peaked at about 10pm last night and it sustained that level for four hours before it started to drop off slowly.”

Flood warnings and alerts are in place throughout the Harrogate district tonight after another day of persistent rain from Storm Christoph.

With a Met Office amber rain warning in place tonight, many low-lying areas are in danger. Some land and roads have already flooded.

Here’s a look at how today unfolded.

You can check flood warnings near you on the government’s flood information service website, which is maintained by the Environment Agency. Click here.

9.12pm – ‘Flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible’

The updated Environment Agency flood warning for the River Nidd at Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough Mill farm makes sombre reading.

It says Knaresborough caravan park is the area most at risk.

Flooding is also ‘expected’ at Roecliffe caravan park and Milby Island near Boroughbridge on the Ure, according to further updates this evening.

We will sign off now but will be back early tomorrow with more flood updates. Please send any flood photos or news to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

8.33pm – Environment Agency issues new flood alert and warning

The Environment Agency has activated a new flood alert and new flood warming this evening.

The alert is for the Lower Dunsforth Access near Boroughbridge, and says:

“The current level at Boroughbridge is 14.8m and levels are forecast to peak this evening. Further heavy rain is expected until Thursday and we expect river levels to rise accordingly. Areas most at risk are low lying land and roads. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and do not drive through flood water.”

The more severe flood warning is for the River Ure at Aldwark Bridge to Cuddy Shaw, on the fringes of the district. The alert says ‘flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected tonight’ and homes in Aldwark Bridge were most at risk.

8.11pm – Pateley Bridge feels the impact

Sinead Cregan took these photos of Pateley Bridge today. The Nidderdale town often bears the brunt of high water on the upper Nidd and further flooding of roads and farmland is expected, according to a flood warning that is currently in place.

6.58pm – Amber rain warning tonight

There is still a way to go before the wet weather relents and indeed conditions could worsen tonight and tomorrow as rain continues to fall on saturated land.

The Met Office has an amber warning in place for the Harrogate area until 6am tomorrow, which says there is a ‘good chance’ of some places being cut off, as well as power cuts.

5.45pm – Gritters out as wintry showers threaten high ground

Although flooding is the primary concern tonight, North Yorkshire County Council has said it will be gritting main routes in areas that may see some wintry showers.

We'll be #gritting some priority roads, particularly on higher routes, in parts of #NorthYorkshire overnight.

There's a chance of wintry showers, to high routes in particular, with road temperatures close to or below zero with an ice risk.

Read more ⬇️https://t.co/6cnhGrxFu6 pic.twitter.com/E7CoDn5zWB

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) January 20, 2021

5.05pm – Nidderdale Lodge Park on watchlist as river levels rise

Residents on the Nidderdale Lodge Park will be watching water levels closely overnight as the River Nidd continues to rise.

One of the residents has said it is currently at around 1.4m and says if it reaches 2m some residents may have to evacuate. She said it doesn’t look like it will reach 2m but the town’s response group is ready to step in to help if it does.

4.50pm – Motorists warned not to drive through floodwater.

https://twitter.com/NorthYorksFire/status/1351934965945139202

3.15pm – Fire services quiet so far

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is usually busy during bad weather but today’s rain hasn’t caused too many problems — so far.

Thankfully we've attended very few flooding related incidents so far today.

Please do keep following the advice, only travel if you really need to, check details of road closures and don't be tempted to drive through flood water- find another route.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) January 20, 2021

3.17pm – 21 bus route affected by flooding

Unfortunately, due to flooding the 21 is unable to reach stops Coneythorpe, The Old Barn and Moor Farm in both directions.

The nearest stops are Arkendale and Flaxby

We will let you know once we're back to normal pic.twitter.com/vyKsmijMIj

— The Harrogate Bus Company (@harrogatebus) January 20, 2021

3.06pm – Fog on A59 at Blubberhouses

Lots of flood warnings and alerts in place, with people holding their breath that the situation doesn’t deteriorate before the storm passes tomorrow. To add to the weather issues, Julie Benson has warned of fog on the A59 between Blubberhouses and Bolton Abbey.

https://twitter.com/JB10MILLION/status/1351901290562023425?s=20

2.05pm – Environment Agency on site in Boroughbridge

The Environment Agency and Boroughbridge Emergency Response Team are keeping a close eye on the River Ure as water levels continue to rise.

Water levels are already close to those forecasted for tonight so both teams will be monitoring the river closely.

Water levels rise beneath the main bridge in Boroughbridge. Photograph: Peter Phillips

1.05pm – Knaresborough caravan park preparing for heavy rain

The Stray Ferret has been told the Nidderdale Lodge Park, in Knaresborough, hasn’t flooded yet but with heavy rain forecast for the rest of the afternoon the town’s flood response team is keeping an eye on the area.

A flood warning is currently in place for the River Nidd by the Knaresborough caravan park.

12.27am – 10 flood alerts and warnings currently in place in Harrogate district

There are currently five alerts and five warnings. Warnings are more severe. Warnings are in place for:

River Ure at Milby Island

River Ure at Roecliffe caravan park

River Nidd at Low Laithe

River Nidd at Knaresborough caravan parks and Goldsborough Mill farm

River Nidd at Hunsingore

Alerts are in place for:

Lower River Ure

Upper Nidd catchment area

Middle Nidd catchment area

Lower Nidd catchment area

River Crimple catchment

11.45am – River Ure at Milby Island expected to flood property and roads

The warning, issued this morning, says the level of the Ure is forecast to peak late evening at about 14.7m to 14.9m,

“Consequently, flooding of property, roads and farmland is expected today. Areas most at risk are properties on Milby Island.

“Avoid walking or driving through flood water.”

11.35am – Boroughbridge emergency response team “prepared”

The Boroughbridge emergency response team, headed by local resident Pauline Phillips, are ready to take action if water levels in the River Ouse rise. The team says at 15 metres it comes on to the road, it is currently at 14.7m.

The team wanted to assure residents it has plans in place if the river does breach its bank. Yorkshire Water is also monitoring the town’s car park which has previously flooded after underground pipes burst.

She added:

“We are prepared to respond if the town does flood but of course we hope we aren’t needed”.

11.20am – Flooded fields near River Ure

The River Ure has burst its banks near North Bridge. Currently, there are no reports of properties being flooded.

The rising waters of the River Ure are reported to be close to the Yorkshire Water waste pumping station located at Sharow on the Dishforth Road at Ripon.

Flooded fields near Ure Bank Top.

10.50am – Rainfall levels expected to peak tomorrow

10.15am – Nidd and Ure burst banks

Images of flooded fields are beginning to appear as the extent of the overnight rain on saturated land becomes apparent.

Julie Benson took these photos of the Nidd at Ripley and Ure at Ripon.

The Nidd at Ripley… Fields are full @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/xZK1sTAIgG

— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021

The Ure at Ripon…. Burst banks… Sorry about the pic quality… All taken as a passenger @northyorkswx pic.twitter.com/72FWlUTbBc

— JB (@JB10MILLION) January 20, 2021

Alex Smith took this image of flooding in Cattal, close to the site of a proposed new 3,000 home settlement.

Nine flood alerts and warnings are in force this morning across the Harrogate district as persistent rain causes river levels to rise to dangerous levels.

Notorious flooding location Knaresborough caravan park and Goldsborough mill farm were put on the more severe ‘warning’ level during the night.

The warning says “flooding of property, roads and land in Knaresborough is possible today” as Nidd river levels are expected to continue to rise. It adds:

“Areas most at risk are riverside land at Knaresborough caravan park. Please activate any property flood protection products you may have, such as flood barriers and air brick covers, and stay away from fast moving water.”

Roecliffe caravan park, near Boroughbridge, is identified as the most vulnerable location in an overnight warning for the River Ure, which says:

“Flooding of property/roads and farmland is expected imminently. Please put your flood plan into action, and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded and stay away from fast moving water.”

Ure near Ripon

An alert was put in place for the lower Ure, just east of Ripon city centre, overnight. An update just before 4am this morning says:

“Flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible today,”

An alert was also activated overnight for the River Crimple, near Follifoot, and its tributaries including Horn Beck, Clark Beck, Hookstone Beck, Rud Beck, Toad Hole Beck and Park Beck.

It warns flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible.

Nidd risk

There is widespread risk along the River Nidd.

Alerts were issued yesterday afternoon for the river just above and below Pateley Bridge. Last night a warning was put in place for around Hunsingsore and Cattal.

Alerts for the lower and middle catchment areas of the Nidd also remain in force.

More heavy rain is expected today and tomorrow morning.

If you are affected by flooding, contact us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

New flood alerts this evening on River Nidd near Harrogate

Two fresh flood alerts have been issued for the River Nidd this evening.

It means there are now three flood alerts and one more serious flood warning in force for the Harrogate district, with further rainfall expected.

The Environment Agency issued an alert for the middle Nidd catchment at 6.47pm tonight, affecting land around the river and tributaries including Thornton Beck, Newton Beck, Oak Beck, Cow Dyke Beck, Bilton Beck, Frogmire Dike and Syke Dike.

Minutes later at 6.54pm another flood warning was issued for the lower Nidd catchment, affecting land around the river and its tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter. The alerts said:

“Flooding of low-lying land and roads is possible today, Tuesday.

“The river has risen in response to recent rainfall, and with persistent and heavy rain forecast to continue through until Thursday we expect river levels to remain high and could rise further.

“Please avoid low-lying land and footpaths near local watercourses.”

A flood warning for the Nidd at Low Laithe between Dacre Banks and Glasshouses was issued this afternoon.

It remains active, as does a flood alert for for the upper Nidd around Wath and Lofthouse, just north of Pateley Bridge.

If flooding affects your area please let us know at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Read more:

• Flood warning issued for River Nidd near Pateley Bridge
• £2.5 million project to prevent flooding at Fountains Abbey

Communities across the Harrogate district are on stand-by for flooding as Storm Christoph continues to bring persistent rain to the region.

With water levels set to peak in the early hours of Wednesday, home owners and organisations are watching to see whether rivers will rise enough to burst their banks and inflict damage on property.

In Boroughbridge, the Emergency Response Team (BERT) is ready to take action if the River Ouse rises above the predicted peak. Group leader Pauline Phillips told the Stray Ferret:

“At the moment, it’s just a watching brief. We can look at the telemetry online, which is very helpful, and I go down to the river and check the level as well.

“It’s looking like it will peak tomorrow morning at about 14.5m. We know if it gets to 15m it starts to come onto the road.”

The volunteers at BERT are standing ready to act if needed, and awaiting any warnings from Harrogate Borough Council’s emergency planners. Anyone in need of help can visit the Boroughbridge Town Council website.

Sandbags deployed

North Yorkshire County Council has deployed more than 15,000 sandbags – double the usual amount – and its highways team has been clearing drains and gullies.

Cones, barriers and signage for road closures have been distributed across the region and are ready to be used when necessary.

Highways staff are monitoring key routes, including Kex Gill and Blubberhouses.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson urged motorists not to take chances driving through flood water, adding:

“Just 60cm of standing water and 30cm of flowing water can be enough to float/move your vehicle. So please don’t take the risk!”

A yellow weather warning is in place across the Harrogate district, lasting until Thursday lunchtime. An amber warning for heavy rain which could result in damage to property or even danger to life applies to the southern and western edges of the district, including parts of Nidderdale.

On stand-by

The community in Pateley Bridge, which was hit by flooding last February, will also be watching levels on the River Nidd over the coming hours. The Environment Agency issued a flood warning and a flood alert for the river this afternoon.

Town councillor Ian Skaife, who leads the Community Resilience Committee, said this afternoon he did not expect there to be any major problems — but he will be watching the weather and river levels overnight.

“There’s plenty of capacity in the river at the moment. The unknown factor is what rain is coming down further up the dale. With the snow melt from the weekend, all three reservoirs will be full to capacity.”

Cllr Skaife said the amount of rainfall today should not be enough to overwhelm the rivers, but he and fellow members of the resilience committee will remain on stand-by in case they are needed as the storm continues.

Meanwhile, residents in Knaresborough will also be waiting anxiously to see whether the heavy rain causes the lower River Nidd to rise. Those living on the caravan park at Archers Meadows, just off York Road, are watching again as waters rise, after repeated flooding on the site over recent years – including water getting into several homes on Boxing Day in 2015.

Flood prevention measures have been introduced in the area, but residents have questioned their effectiveness as the water continues to rise rapidly in heavy rainfall.

Read more:

• Flood alerts issued as heavy rain forecast for Harrogate district
• ‘Clean your chimneys’, urges fire service after two fires near Ripon yesterday

The government’s flood information service has issued a flood warning for the River Nidd just south of Pateley Bridge.

The warning, which was issued shortly before 4pm, says flooding is expected at Low Laithe between Dacre Banks and Glasshouses.

It adds roads and farmland are expected to flood and immediate action is required:

“Levels on the River Nidd are rising at Pateley Bridge. Please be aware that persistent and heavy rain is forecast until Thursday. Please avoid walking or driving through flood water.”

Two hours earlier the flood information service issued a less severe flood alert for the Upper Nidd around Wath and Lofthouse, just north of Pateley Bridge.

The Upper Nidd alert says:

“Areas most at risk are low lying land and roads.

“Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and do not walk or drive through flood water.”

Read more:

• Flood alerts issued as heavy rain forecast for Harrogate district
• £2.5 million project to prevent flooding at Fountains Abbey

Storm Christoph is beginning to saturate the Harrogate district and beyond.

Five flood warnings and 30 flood alerts are effective in North Yorkshire, where rain is expected to fall until midday Thursday.

More than two inches of rain are forecast to fall in some northern areas over the next 48 hours as Storm Christoph arrives.

An amber warning for rain became active at 6am this morning and is due to be in force until 12pm on Thursday.

The Met Office has warned people in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, East Midlands and the east of England to expect heavy rain and potential floods.

The west of the district is expected to be worse affected. A less severe yellow warning is active for the east of the district.

Heavy rainfall combined with some snowmelt across the hills is likely to cause flooding.

The amber warning says homes and businesses could be flooded and fast flowing and deep water could cause danger to life.

Some communities could be cut off and power cuts are also possible.

Read more:

• Appeal for patience as council refills grit bins
• Flood alerts issued as heavy rain forecast for Harrogate district

Residents in areas prone to flooding across the Harrogate district have been urged to be ready for rising waters this week.

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for residents around the lower River Nidd today, as snow further up the river melts rapidly.

Areas around Cattal, Tockwith and Kirk Hammerton could all be affected as water levels rise today.

The warning says roads and farmland could be flooded as the river reaches its peak, along with tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter. The warning says river levels in the upper catchment have already peaked.

The Environment Agency said:

“Please be aware that further rain is forecast from Tuesday, January 19. We are closely monitoring the situation and our incident response staff are checking defences. Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses.”

Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings of heavy rain across North Yorkshire. Coming into effect from the early hours of Tuesday morning and lasting until Thursday, they warn of fast-flowing, deep floodwater which could pose a danger to lives.

Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to buildings, and some communities could be cut off. Power cuts, road closures and disruption to public transport are also likely, the Met Office said.

A £2.5 million scheme to revive the river valley that runs through Fountains Abbey has been given the green light today.

The abbey and its water garden near Ripon are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the UK’s most significant cultural landmarks.

But flooding has deluged the abbey ruins and the adjacent water garden several times in recent years. Nearby homes and businesses have also been affected.

Wildlife is under threat from poor water quality because of increased sediment in the river.

Now the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded a £1.4 million grant to tackle the problem.

The sum, combined with funding from other sources, will enable the valley to be protected from the effects of climate change and flooding, which has threatened to cause irreparable damage to the abbey.

The Skell valley scheme aims to rejuvenate 12 miles of the River Skell by improving the landscape’s resilience to climate change.

Work on the scheme, led by the National Trust and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is due to begin in March.

The River Skell, which runs through the Fountains Abbey UNESCO World Heritage site

In 2007, flooding devastated archaeology at Fountains Abbey, inundated the water garden of Studley Royal  and caused damage downstream in Ripon.

Despite efforts to tackle the effects of extreme weather, flooding and silt-build up continue to threaten the valley’s heritage and ecology.

But now, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other funders, including the European Regional Development Fund, large-scale work to protect the landscape can begin.

The four-year scheme, which has been under development for several years, will involve local partners, landowners, farmers and volunteer groups.

Efforts to reduce flooding will include tree planting, meadow creation and new ponds, which will reduce soil run-off and slow the flow of water.

Read more:

• Ripon Together scheme encourages more walking and cycling
• More new homes in prospect for Ripon

The project is designed to boost wildlife in the valley and it is hoped that populations of rare species such as curlew, white-clawed crayfish and golden plover will increase.

Communities will take an active role in the scheme with opportunities to learn conservation skills and undertake archive research.

Councillor Nigel Simms, who represents Masham and Kirkby Malzeard on Harrogate Borough Council and is chair of the Nidderdale AONB joint advisory committee, said:

“We will work closely with local farmers and landowners across the Skell valley to put in place nature-based solutions that will reduce flooding and improve biodiversity in and around the river.”