Flood warnings remain as St George’s Field car park reopens

As The Press reported, River levels continue to be high in York in the aftermath of Storm Bert which brought disruption across the country.

City of York Council this afternoon (Monday, November 25) confirmed that St George’s Field Car and Coach Parks had reopened after high water levels from the nearby River Ouse forced it to close.

At 1.15pm, the River Ouse was at 3.36m - 1.46 metres above the top of its normal range - on the Viking Recorder and falling.

The Environment Agency expects the river to be within its normal range by midday tomorrow.

Flood warnings remain in place for Naburn Lock, riverside properties in York from Lendal Bridge to Millennium Bridge and the Queen's Staith area.

The Environment Agency said the Foss Barrier is in operation, with the flood gates closed through York.

Rowntree Park remains closed due to high river levels.

Flooding in King's Staith on Monday morning (Image: Haydn Lewis) Friends of Rowntree Park, which manages the South Bank park, said the closure is a precaution to the high river levels.

“Current prediction is 3.75m but we doubt it will reach this. The park doesn’t flood fully until 4m so it should be a short term closure (unless poor weather continues in the hills!),” a spokesperson for the group said on Facebook.

“Reminder - park closes at 3.10m as of weaknesses in the beck wall that are currently too costly for the council to repair.

“Also high river levels mean the lakes back up and flow over the paths. Decisions on closures by the council are made linked to health and safety.”

• Read next: Three flood warnings in York and North Yorkshire

An Environment Agency spokesperson advised people to “start acting on your flood plan”.

“Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses and do not attempt to walk, drive or cycle through flood water,” they said.

“Monitor local water levels and weather conditions.”