NEW defences have been completed in York city centre to reduce flood risk to nearby homes and help to maintain access to Clifford Street fire station.

Fire and council chiefs across the city have welcomed the improvements at Peckitt Street, which are intended to reduce flood risk to homes there and in Friar’s Terrace.

The work was carried out by City of York Council, supported by the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee (YRFDC), which gave £35,000 towards the cost.

A new wall, with flood gates, across the end of Peckitt Street will remove the need for temporary sandbags and pumps there when water in the River Ouse rises up to 4.42 metres (14 feet six inches) above summer levels.

Alan Bell, the station manager at Clifford Street fire station, said: “During previous flooding events, the station has experienced significant damage and disruption, especially to our office area.

“This was at a time when the fire station needed to be at full capability helping the public in York deal with the flooding.

“Improving the flood defences at Peckitt Street will greatly reduce this disruption, enabling us to provide the community with a better level of service when flooding is occurring.”

The regional flood defence committee raised its funding through a levy on local authorities across Yorkshire. This is supported by matched funding from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward in recognition of the devastating damage that flooding can have on the region’s economy.

Councillor Andrew Waller, leader of City of York Council, said: “Councils in Yorkshire have increased their contributions to the flood levy to make sure that small schemes like this are built to protect communities against flooding.”