Environment Agency called to investigate potential Ripon pollutionThe Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water are being called upon to investigate a foaming discharge into the River Ure in Ripon.
There are fears the discharge could be potentially harmful to humans, aquatic life and water fowl.
The Stray Ferret contacted the EA incident line after seeing the discharge yesterday and understands that the stretch of river near the Duchess of Kent Bridge on the A61 Ripon bypass has been affected since the weekend.
James Thornborough, an internationally-recognised authority on spillage on land and water, reported the incident to YW and said it would be normal practice for them to share the information with the EA.
The expert, who lives in nearby Sharow, told the Stray Ferret:
“I pass this part of river, which can be seen from the Dishforth Road, on a regular basis and on Sunday noticed the foaming on the water coming from a drainage outlet that feeds into the Ure.
“In my opinion this is not normal occurrence for this part of the river and that is why I reported it.
“It certainly warrants scrutiny by the EA to find out what exactly is being discharged and whether it is benign or potential harmful to people and animals.
“If it is discovered to be harmful, urgent remedial action will need to be taken.”
The drainage outlet (top right on the photograph) has been the source of the white foaming substance.
Mr Thornborough added:
“The EA, as the national competent authority for protecting the natural environment of the UK, is bound to assess any reported pollution incident and I would urge anybody who witnesses something like this, that looks out of place, to report it as soon as possible.
“Rivers collect water naturally from the atmosphere (rainfall), surface drainage (run off), ground waters, and underground aquifers.
“Unfortunately rivers must also cope with Industrial waste. Controlled industrial discharges are subject to license conditions. Uncontrolled industrial discharges occur due to operating controls failures, accidents or deliberate intention (criminal behaviour).”
What can the Environment Agency do?
Mr Thornborough said he expected the EA to analyse water samples. He added:
“Industrial pollution can reduce the concentration of bio dissolved oxygen in the water phase which can cause fish kills.
“At the very least, the biodiversity of the River Ure in the surrounds of this foaming event, has likely been impacted and microscopic marine organisms will have been killed upsetting the food chain.
“With this in mind, all stakeholders – from business operators, to the public and compliance organisations such as the EA, have a role to play in ensuring that our precious water resources are safeguarded.”
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Yorkshire Water urges caution around reservoirs over Bank HolidayYorkshire Water is urging visitors to their reservoirs to act with caution ahead of future bank holidays.
They are asking people to follow the Countryside Code and not to take risks by using disposable barbeques or swimming in the water.
A number of moorland fires in 2022 have been linked to disposable barbeques.
Gaynor Carpenter, head of land and property at Yorkshire Water, said:
“With half-term upon us and a number of Bank Holiday weekends ahead, it is important that visitors to our reservoirs do not take risks by using disposable barbecues or entering the water. We’ve recently seen the very real dangers fires caused by barbecues pose to our moorland, which can take hundreds of years to recover.”
Disposable barbeques are not permitted on any of Yorkshire Water’s sites, and some of its areas are covered by Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s), which means people could face on the spot fines if they are found using one.
Firefighters recently battled a large fire at Brimham Rocks, with the fire service urging people to be careful about putting out cigarettes and barbeques.
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Gaynor added:
“It is also important visitors to our sites remain vigilant around the water, particularly parents with children who may be tempted to enter the water.
“We work hard to ensure our sites can be enjoyed by visitors from the region and beyond and it is important people leave the sites as they found them. Following the Countryside Code and ensuring to take litter home, keep dogs on leads and park considerately will all help to make visits to our reservoirs enjoyable for everyone.”
If visitors do see someone in the water who requires help or a fire, call 999 and ask for the fire service immediately.
Residents on Harrogate’s Duchy Road lose water after pipe burstsPeople living on Harrogate’s Duchy Road were without water today after a pipe burst.
Yorkshire Water was carrying out planned work to repair a section of pipe.
But a Yorkshire Water spokeswoman explained things didn’t go entirely to plan. She said:
“During that repair, an unexpected burst happened nearby. This was then repaired live by the guys on site already there.
“It’s unclear how many houses were affected but I can tell you we had five calls from customers.
“This issue should now be resolved, customers may experience low pressure as their water comes back on.”
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Swinsty Reservoir walking route reopens todayThe circular walking route around Swinsty Reservoir has reopened today, three months ahead of schedule.
Yorkshire Water closed the circular route around the reservoir In November 2020 to allow it to undertake £6 million safety works that were due to be completed in the summer.
The company introduced a temporary footpath, which drew some complaints for being too muddy.
https://twitter.com/YorkshireWater/status/1512387717430136845
The reservoir in the Washburn Valley is a popular location for families and dog walkers in the Harrogate district.
Alastair Harvey, lead recreation advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:
“Swinsty is one of our most popular reservoir sites, so it’s fantastic to have the full circular route open once again. We’re grateful for the patience of our visitors and local residents whilst the work took place.”
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Call for urgent remedy to Ripon residents’ flooding issueRipon 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.”
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Call for investigation by the Environment Agency
Cllr Hawke said:
“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.
Harrogate Lib Dems call for sewage tax to clean-up riversHarrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have called on the government to introduce a sewage tax to raise money to clean rivers.
The party said a 16% tax on water companies would help to create an emergency fund to improve rivers which had sewage dumped into them.
The Stray Ferret reported in November that Yorkshire Water released raw and untreated sewage into Harrogate district rivers and becks on 3,800 different occasions in 2020.
The worst affected local river is the River Nidd, prompting health concerns from wild swimmers that use the river in Knaresborough.
Water companies are legally allowed to release sewage through overflow pipes when the sewage system becomes too full, which can happen during increased rainfall.
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The Liberal Democrats highlighted that Yorkshire Water made an operating profit of £241 million last year.
Hannah Gostlow, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Scriven Park in Knaresborough, said:
“Rivers should be safe for sustaining wildlife, swimming and leisure. They are a precious source of drinking water for some.
“So why are they filled with raw sewage and human waste, destroying them for decades to come?
“It is disgraceful to see a company which pollutes our local rivers with sewage make so much money last year. I think Yorkshire Water should pay to clean up the mess they make here. This Conservative government is once again too slow to act and doing nothing to protect our local rivers.”
The Stray Ferret contacted the Conservative leader of Harrogate Borough Council, Cllr Richard Cooper, to ask for his response to the proposal. He referred us to the council press office. We await a response.
Long-awaited Otley Road cycle lane opens to safety concernsThe first phase of the much-anticipated cycle lane on Otley Road in Harrogate was completed today amid safety fears by a cycling campaign group.
North Yorkshire County Council has now completed the initial stretch from Harlow Moor Road to Arthurs Avenue. It is the first of three phases on Otley Road.
However, the junction with Harlow Moor Road has given Harrogate District Cycle Action group cause for concern.
Kevin Douglas, chairman of HDCA, told the Stray Ferret the cycle route was a “step forward” overall but the junction failed to meet safety standards:
“We can see that they have widened the junction for cars. It is great news for drivers but that was not the point of the scheme.
“In its current form I do not think it meets the minimum safety standards.
“The council is planning to widen the path at the junction by using land owned by Yorkshire Water which would improve the situation but until then it is too narrow.
“Overall I see this as a step forward. The sooner we have cycle lanes that connect houses on the edges of town with the town centre the better.”
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North Yorkshire County Council has been working closely with Mr Douglas and other local cycling groups as part of the consultation process.
Much of the route is shared with pedestrians.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, told the Stray Ferret:
“There has been some criticism about the fact that it is shared access with pedestrians and cyclists, but that has always been part of the design.
“I have had many conversations with Mr Douglas. He is concerned about the pinch point at the Harlow Moor Road junction but we are going to resolve the issue. It’s a fair assessment.
“We have reached an agreement with Yorkshire Water so we can widen that path. I cannot give a date on when those works will start.”
Construction of the second phase, from Cold Bath Road to Beech Grove, is due to start in April. There is still no timescale for phase three, which will connect to Cardale Park.
Mr Mackenzie also raised the prospect of eventually extending the cycle lane to Beckwithshaw. He told the Stray Ferret it would likely receive funding due to the number of housing planned for the area. Developers, as part of planning consent, would be expected to fund the route.
Killinghall roadwork misery set to continue for extra weekRoadworks at the junction of Otley Road and Ripon Road in Killinghall are to continue for an extra week.
Long queues either side of the village have been a regular site since temporary traffic lights were installed on Monday.
Northern Powergrid wrote to nearby residents before the scheme began saying work would last 10 days until Friday 4 while it excavated a trench and laid cables beneath the pavement outside the Tesco being built on Ripon Road.
But residents have not been informed of further work due to take place from February 7 to 11.
According to the North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, broadband and water works will begin once the current work has ended.
The work by Openreach and Yorkshire Water will again involve three-way traffic lights, which are likely to cause more delays to motorists.
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A spokesperson for Openreach said:
“We have some minor works taking place between 7 and 9 February. This is to lay around 30 metres of underground ducting. To enable our engineers to work safely, we will require temporary traffic lights.
“We will work as quickly as we can do and make every attempt to co-ordinate the timing of our work with other companies to keep disruption to a minimum.”
Traffic in Killinghall this week has been described as “chaos”, with tailbacks of up to two miles reported during rush hours.
Yorkshire Water issues frozen pipes warning as temperature plummetsYorkshire Water has warned people to take precautions to prevent their pipes bursting during the cold weather.
A severe cold weather warning is currently in place for the Harrogate district and temperatures fell as low as minus five degrees centigrade last night.
A yellow weather warning for snow is currently effective in the district from 10am to 4pm tomorrow.
Yorkshire Water said in a statement today pipes were likely to freeze and urged people to wrap them in foam insulation, called lagging, to prevent them bursting when the frozen water expands. The company added:
“If pipes do freeze, turn the water off at the stop tap and defrost the pipe with a hairdryer.
“Never use a naked flame to defrost a pipe.”
The water company said it was responsible for underground pipes but pipes in gardens, homes, or business premises were often the owner’s responsibility.
Martyn Hattersley, head of demand management at Yorkshire Water, said:
“We’re watching temperatures closely and keeping an eye on our assets, as we do tend to see more bursts during a steep drop in temperature.
We’ll have leakage inspectors out and about every day, as well as using some of the latest technologies to detect and fix leaks as quickly as possible.”
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He encouraged customers to do their bit too to reduce the likelihood of a burst. He added:
“The less leaks, the less water wasted and the more that’s left in our pipes to feed the region. It’ll also save you the inconvenience and cost of a frozen or damaged pipe.”
For more information on how to prepare your home for cold weather, click here.
The Yorkshire Water scheme to support people needing extra help
This article is sponsored by Yorkshire Water
The Priority Services Register by Yorkshire Water helps customers who might be significantly impacted if they can’t access water for a short period of time, or people who need to tailor their interactions with the company.
Yorkshire Water customers can sign up for a variety of kinds of extra help.
- If you have sight problems or are deaf or hard of hearing, you can receive your bill in large print, braille or audio
- You can sign up for advanced notice of planned works; Yorkshire Water can even arrange a personal visit if there’s something big happening
- If you’re more reliant on a continued water supply (for example if you’re a new parent or have home dialysis), you might be offered a priority water supply connection or get bottled water delivered straight to your door if Yorkshire Water needs to interrupt your supply
- You can set up a security password so you’ll always know it’s a genuine Yorkshire Water employee if you’re concerned about unwanted callers
- If you’d like someone else to manage your account, you can nominate someone on your behalf
- Assistance with reading your meter, such as if you’re struggling to bend down or access your meter
Ash Roberts, customer vulnerability manager at Yorkshire Water, said:
“We offer our priority services as a way of providing a little extra help to our customers that need it most.
“As well as alternate bill formats, help reading your meter and the ability to set up a password so that you know it’s always us calling, customers on our priority services register also get extra assistance during a temporary interruption to their water supply, as we’ll deliver bottled water straight to your door.”
If you or a family member or friend would benefit from joining the register, it’s free and fast to sign up.
Fill in this online form, or call 0800 1 38 78 78 to sign up on the phone.