York floods latest: Roads reopen as the big clean-up begins

The River Ouse in York is receding fast – and is predicted to be back within normal levels tomorrow evening (Friday).

And that means it’s clean-up time.

Teams from City of York Council and the York BID (Business Improvement District) have been out today hosing down the riverside areas.

Where the waters have receded, they’ve left behind a layer of mud and silt. Vegetation from the river has been dumped in some areas, like Dame Judi Dench Walk next to Lendal Bridge.

The river is still lapping over the Staiths. But water has largely gone from Tower Gardens. Here, the sandbags and pump have been dismantled.

And work to clean up St George’s Field car park – where several cars were stranded in the floodwater – is well underway.

Skeldergate is open again, and buses running along it as normal.

The cleaning is expected to continue over the coming weekend and into next week.

“Any infrastructure damage revealed will be barriered off if unsafe until repaired,” said a City of York Council spokesperson.

“Some of the dismantling and cleaning work will happen in the early morning or late afternoons so as not to inconvenience people.

“With cold weather forecast for later this week, essential gritting and winter maintenance work may slow the clean-up.”

Council leader Keith Aspden said: “Thanks to the efforts of our frontline staff, the city’s flood defences held off this latest rise in river levels.

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“Whilst we have passed the highest peak, we’re mindful that residents and businesses are still affected by the few road and path diversions in place. River levels and weather permitting, frontline staff intend to inspect, clean and reopen these as soon as possible.

“The city continues to be open for business as usual, with access into York remaining clear for residents, visitors and workers.”