It’s not over yet: Now 70mph inland gusts heading our way

Yorkshire is braced for more bad weather after three days of flooding and disruption for thousands of commuters.
High river water and flooding in and around Castleford. PIC: Scott MerryleesHigh river water and flooding in and around Castleford. PIC: Scott Merrylees
High river water and flooding in and around Castleford. PIC: Scott Merrylees

Winds of up to 80mph could batter parts of the UK as the second storm strong enough to be given a name sweeps in this week.

The Met Office said Storm Barney is set to bring gusts of up to 70mph inland and potentially 80mph along exposed coasts.

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And the Environment Agency said last night that although the flooding risk had receded river levels remained high in the North of England.

There were 15 flood warnings across the agency’s North East region, which covers Yorkshire, on the River Ouse, River Aire and River Swale.

The Environment Agency said the River Ouse in North Yorkshire and York will remain high until Thursday and warned there could be further localised flooding.

Two of Yorkshire’s busiest rail routes were out of action for much of yesterday after the railway line flooded at Kirkstall, Leeds, stopping services to Ilkley, Skipton and beyond.

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There was also reports of flooding in Otley, Ilkley, Allerton Bywater, near Castleford and in Hebden Bridge.

Residents of Acaster Malbis in North Yorkshire watch rising floodwater in the village. PIC: PAResidents of Acaster Malbis in North Yorkshire watch rising floodwater in the village. PIC: PA
Residents of Acaster Malbis in North Yorkshire watch rising floodwater in the village. PIC: PA

Yesterday parts of Otley and Ilkley were still under water from Sunday morning, with flooding also taking place in Allerton Bywater.

Otley’s Wharfemeadows Park was submerged, with Denton Road and Bridge Lane in Ilkley also deep in water. The main A65 between Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ilkley was closed. In the Calder Valley the A646 Burnley Road was sealed off and sandbags were placed outside homes. Flooding was also reported on the A58 near Wyke, on the outskirts of Bradford.

The railway line at Kirkstall flooded, affecting services from Leeds to Ilkley, Skipton, Bradford Forster Square and Carlisle.

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Northern Rail said yesterday afternoon that it had been re-opened and that services would be re-introduced steadily over the following couple of hours.

Flooding in the Aire Valley at Steeton. PIC: Bruce RollinsonFlooding in the Aire Valley at Steeton. PIC: Bruce Rollinson
Flooding in the Aire Valley at Steeton. PIC: Bruce Rollinson

A statement added: “We expect to be running our normal timetable by Tuesday morning at the latest. Some services may still be delayed or cancelled at short notice in the meantime while our crew and trains return from being displaced by the flooding.

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused to your journeys during the recent disruption and thank you for your patience. We continue to monitor the weather situation with Network Rail, who owns and manages the rail infrastructure.” Earlier the firm said all trains were cancelled on the Skipton and Ilkley lines out of Leeds until at least 3pm yesterday. Commuters who tried to divert to the Harrogate line found the road blocked at Pool-in-Wharfedale.

Northern Rail said earlier that it was not arranging replacement bus services, adding only that passengers were “advised to make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible”.

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The company said that “where travel is essential”, passengers could get to Bradford Forster Square station, and walk across the city to Bradford Interchange.

Roads around Tadcaster underwater after the River Wharfe flooded. PIC: PARoads around Tadcaster underwater after the River Wharfe flooded. PIC: PA
Roads around Tadcaster underwater after the River Wharfe flooded. PIC: PA

While the weather caused flooding and disruption for many, owners of a pub on the banks of the Aire in Leeds did not let it affect them. Steve Holt and John Kelly were pictured enjoying a pint in their beer garden at Kirkstall Bridge Inn, despite the rising flood waters reaching their waists.