Call for urgent remedy to Ripon residents’ flooding issue
Ripon City Council is calling for urgent action and a detailed investigation led by the Environment Agency after Storm Franklin brought unprecedented flooding to Hillshaw Park Way last month.
The owners of 11 affected properties, who are still dealing with insurance claims, a clean up operation and months of misery and disruption ahead, are seeking answers about the causes of the flood amid concerns that the drainage infrastructure serving their area is not fit for purpose.
Residents were invited to an extraordinary meeting of the council called by Mayor and ward councillor Eamon Parkin and fellow ward councillor Sid Hawke.
Irwin Blenkiron and his neighbour Andrew Jarvis spoke on behalf of all residents to highlight their concerns and seek remedial action to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.
Irwin Blenkiron (front, centre) and Andrew Jarvis (checked shirt) spoke on behalf of residents of Hillshaw Park Way at the extraordinary meeting.
Mr Blenkiron, an 80-year-old retired civil servant, told the meeting about an urgent pre-dawn phone call he received from a neighbour on February 21, warning that flood water was rapidly rising in the street in front of his home.
With the need for him and his wife Carol to evacuate their bungalow growing by the minute, cars were moved from the drive to higher ground and friends unaffected by the flood who live further down the street, welcomed them into their warm and dry home.
After the council meeting, Mr Blenkiron told the Stray Ferret:
“My wife and I have lived in the street since 1985 and we have never experienced anything like this before.”
Linda Beck, who has lived in the Hillshaw Park Way for 14 years, has written on behalf of affected residents to Yorkshire Water, expressing doubts about the pumping station and associated drainage infrastructure serving the area.
Yorkshire Water’s pumping station, which serves Hillshaw Park Way and Priest Lane.
She and neighbours believe it is no longer able to cope with increased capacity of water caused by more frequent stormy weather. exacerbated by run-off water from developments, including the nearby St Michael’s Retail Park at Rotary Way and the adjacent Cathedral Meadows residential development.
Linda Beck had to throw away items from her garage after they were saturated by flood water.
Her letter was sent to the developers, along with North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, and Ripon’s MP Julian Smith.
The pressure of water, caused by the February 21 flood, blew the cover off one of a series of storm drains located on land to the rear of Mr and Mrs Blenkiron’s home.
Ms Beck, whose garage, drive and back garden were flooded, said:
“I haven’t suffered the same degree of damage that other neighbours have experienced, but it’s a mess, massive inconvenience and I could have done without this.
“We certainly don’t want to have to put up with this again and it is clear to us that action is required.”
Andrew Jarvis, like other neighbours, is facing months of misery ahead as he waits for his home to dry out.
Those views are shared by Mr Jarvis, who who has lived in Hillshaw Park Way for 30 years. He pointed out:
“We need the causes of the February flood to be sorted out before the next storm arrives.
“The flood waters were totally unexpected and rose so quickly that there was no way of keeping them out of my house and garage.
“Now, along with Mr and Mrs Blenkirion, Linda and other neighbours on the street, I’m having to deal with the clean-up operation, with dehumidifiers around my home on virtually all the time making it hard to sleep.
“I even had to find a temporary home for my tropical fish, because it’s not suitable to have the aquarium here in these conditions.”
Yorkshire Water’s response
In response to the the letter sent by Ms Beck, Anthony Sumner, Yorkshire Water operational complaints champion, said that the flooding in Hillshaw Park Way occurred after the River Ure burst its banks and “the main surface water line out of Ripon had nowhere to go”.
Mr Sumner added:
“We were called to the sewerage pumping station as we had a report from a customer who thought the flooding was as a result of our asset failing.
“We met with a customer and showed that the sewerage pumping station was pumping as normal (by lifting both pumps and checked (sic) the rising main discharge point) .The issue as far as the pumping station was concerned was that it was taking on flood water and surface water (and) as such therefore couldn’t cope.
“There has never been any question for needing to increase capacity at this pumping station under normal conditions.
“Regarding increasing the size of the pumps, when the system was designed it was determined that the size of the pumps would meet the needs of the area, as has been shown under normal circumstances our pumps meet the requirements they were designed for.
“We would not look to increase the size or capacity at this time. Increasing the capacity of the pumps would detriment (sic) residents and communities further down the system especially during exceptional rainfall and severe storms similar to the ones we have recently experienced.”
“The problem with this response is that weather events like Storm Franklin and before that Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice, are becoming the norm and are occurring more frequently.
“Once you add in the additional waste and drainage water generated by new housing and other developments in Ripon, it is clear that capacities are going to be stretched on a more regular basis.
“That is why we want the Environment Agency, as the rivers authority, to head the investigation into what happened at Hillshaw Park Way in February, so that urgent improvements can can be made.
Flooding reveals ‘major unresolved problem on West Park Stray’
Large swathes of The Stray in Harrogate remain flooded today after heavy rainfall from Storm Franklin.
The Stray underwent major repairs two years ago to improve drainage in the area near the Prince of Wales roundabout.
But that area, and many others, is under water, raising questions about what, if anything, can be done to improve matters.
The Stray Defence Association, which has campaigned to safeguard the Stray since the 1930s, posted on its Facebook page:
“Clearly there is a major unresolved problem on West Park Stray, whatever certain people say.
“Looking at the dire state of West Park Stray today this has never been the case over decades past … when in winter we often had 5/6 feet of accumulated snow melting on a regular basis as well as heavy rain.
“Tree roots are standing in water much of the time now, not just over this weekend. This is an environmental disaster in the making.”
“£160,000 was spent on repairs in 2019 and it was not money well spent since we’re still seeing flooding of this level.”
“There is also a concern about the number of trees being cut down around the area … these were protecting the area from floods, and the situation is only getting worse.”
“These images have gone to the council and I have suggested that the driver pays for the damages they have done.”
Image gallery: 72 hours of wild weather in Harrogate district
The Harrogate district has been battered by wind, snow and torrential rain during 72 hours of wild weather.
Winds started picking up at around midday on Friday when Storm Eunice arrived, uprooting trees in its wake. By Saturday afternoon the district experienced its first significant snowfall of the weekend, which caught out motorists with its severity.
But worse was to come yesterday when torrential rain caused widespread flooding, especially in low-lying areas near the River Nidd in Pateley Bridge and Knaresborough.
Today has been a day for residents and business owners to clear-up debris and salvage what they can.
Here’s a look back at the extreme weather.
Friday, February 18 – trees uprooted by Storm Eunice
A fallen tree on Beckwith Head Road.
Minutes later a tree splintered on top of the shelter on West Park Stray.
Harrogate fire crews used the aerial ladder platform to prune a tree in danger of falling in Bilton. Photograph: GM Tony Peel
Saturday, February 19 – Snow show
Traffic came to a standstill on Cheltenham Parade and Parliament Street in Harrogate.
This DPD van got stuck on the Stray on Saturday when it tried to avoid the Beech Grove road closure.
Sunday, February 20 – Flooding begins
The water gardens at Fountains Abbey were ‘devastated’ by flooding. Photograph: National Trust
Pateley Bridge High Street flooded.
This screenshot of a video taken by Charlotte Gale shows the state of the River Nidd.
Monday February 21 – The clean up commences
Most of Margaret Pearson’s garden at Nidderdale Lodge Park, Knaresborough, remains underwater after she was forced to evacuate yesterday.
The water level begins to subside on Greenwood Road in Pateley Bridge. It had risen as high as the wheelie bin lids.
Flood defences couldn’t hold back all the water at Marigolds Cafe, Knaresborough
Knaresborough residents assess Storm Franklin flood damage
Knaresborough residents and business owners have begun to assess the damage caused by Storm Franklin after many were forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding.
The storm brought heavy rainfall to the area over the weekend and caused the banks of the River Nidd to break, leaving many houses in the surrounding area at risk.
Samantha Small, landlady at Mother Shipton’s Inn along the river, discussed damage to the business after the cellar flooded;
“We’ve managed to save the drinks but we’re going to have to lose at least half of our dry storage.
“Thankfully we were able to stay open yesterday but all of our electrics have gone. The outside area will definitely be closed today.”
Fears rose as she also lives on-site, so risked damage to her home. She added:
“We didn’t sleep much, particularly as it was pretty loud all night.”
Ms Small hopes that the pub can open inside today with little damage to business.
Meanwhile, Margaret Pearson, a resident of Nidderdale Lodge Park, was evacuated to Dower House Hotel on Saturday morning;
“You just have to leave as soon as it begins … some of our neighbours who haven’t lived through it before got stuck in their house and we had to call the fire brigade.
“We’ve lost a few things from the garden but hopefully they’ll show up in someone else’s.”
She has now been able to return to her home since the River Nidd passed its peak level yesterday afternoon.
The water level of the River Nidd is now reported to be falling and only light rainfall is expected, however the River Ure is expected to peak today.
Harrogate district continues clean-up after Storm Franklin
Residents and businesses are continuing the clean up in the wake of Storm Franklin which left many areas across the Harrogate district flooded.
Storm Franklin left many areas under water yesterday as heavy rain hit the district.
Follow our live blog for updates and send details of what’s happening in Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Masham and all points in between by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk or send us a message on Facebook.
2.40pm – River level in Boroughbridge
A picture posted by James Wilkinson on social media shows the current level of the River Ure in Boroughbridge.
2.35pm – Bewerley Recreation Park under water
Our reporter has captured these pictures this afternoon of Bewerley Recreation Park near Pateley Bridge flooded.
2pm – Road closures across North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire County Council has released a list of road closures, including some in the Harrogate district.
The roads are listed as closed or passable with care.
(2/4) – A168 near Thornton le Street – B1223 The Fleet, Ryther
Closed: – Road into Kirby Wiske – Sandhill Lane (road to Holme on Swale from B6267 – Eldmire Lane – Dalton Lane – Occany Lane, Farnham – East Farm to Grey Gables, Laverton/Ripon – Catttal Moor Lane, Cattal pic.twitter.com/SpwSjRAMfm
(4/4) Closed: – Morton on Swale Bridge – Little Langton – B1257 Golder Square to Stockings Lane – Intake Lane, Beal – Raw Lane/New Lane, Ulleskelf – New Road Ulleskelf – B6160 between Linton Crossroads and Threshfield highways depo pic.twitter.com/RA8Pc7bWOD
1.47pm – Knaresborough residents assess Storm Franklin flood damage
Knaresborough residents and business owners have begun to assess the damage caused by Storm Franklin after many were forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding.
The storm brought heavy rainfall to the area over the weekend and caused the banks of the River Nidd to break, leaving many houses in the surrounding area at risk.
Our reporter Suzannah Rogerson has been on greenwood Road in Pateley Bridge, which was hit hard by Storm Franklin this past weekend.
You can see the current situation in the town below:
12.06pm – Marigolds Cafe in Knaresborough. hopes to reopen tomorrow.
Justine Connolly, who co-owns Marigolds Cafe on Waterside, was forced to close the cafe on Sunday morning just as Storm Franklin was approaching the district.
She tells the Stray Ferret she hopes to reopen tomorrow. You can read more here.
11.40am – Ure expected to peak at midday as Boroughbridge bridge remains closed
Boroughbridge Emergency Response Team update has issued a flood update. It says:
“The Ure has burst its banks and is currently at 15.3m and holding steady, but not due to peak until midday today. The road is closed.
“That said people are still driving through causing great problems for home owners that are flooded. It is illegal to ignore a road closure and those that do will be reported.
“Yorkshire Water are in the car park to prevent flooding there. We have just witnessed a huge tree crashing down at the side of the river so if you are out walking take care.”
10.15am – Knaresborough resident speaks of being evacuated from floods
Margaret Pearson, a resident at Nidderdale Lodge caravan park, has been speaking to the Stray Ferret this morning about her experience of the flooding yesterday.
You can watch the interview below.
10.05am – Copgrove Lane flooded
Copgrove Lane in Knaresborough is currently flooded. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.
9.35am – Advice from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
Harrogate Fire Station has issued advice this morning to avoid flooded roads as water is still coming down from the hills.
9.23am – Ripon flooding footage
A Stray Ferret reader has shared this footage from Urebank Terrace in Ripon this morning, which has been hit hard by the floods.
9.18am – Studley Royal, Water Garden and Fountains Abbey all closed
The Studley Royal, Water Garden and Fountains Abbey at Ripon are all closed this morning due to the devastating floods yesterday.
National Trust park rangers are at the entrance to advise would-be visitors of the temporary closure.
9.10am – B6275 at Boroughbridge this morning
The B6275 at Boroughbridge this morning, which is closed due to flooding.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong wind in the Harrogate District.
The warning is in place until 1pm today and may cause disruption on the roads and to public transport.
7.15am – River Nidd flood warning remains in place
A flood warning remains in place for the River Nidd at Knaresborough this morning.
The Environment Agency has warned that river levels have fallen since yesterday, but remain higher than normal.
The Environment Agency adds on its website:
“Areas at risk are locations near the River Nidd, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Riverside properties situated along the Waterside, Abbey Road, Spital Croft and Monskwell Park including part of Manse Lane Industrial Estate.”
