Village hit by double flood after valve was left closed

HOMES WERE flooded in an East Yorkshire village after a valve was closed when it should have been open, a report has now concluded.

Thunderstorms last July and August caused flooding across the area including in Cottingham, Market Weighton and North Cave.

Worst affected was North Ferriby where a number of homes were flooded on July 27 and again on August 13, prompting investigations by Yorkshire Water.

A flood investigation report says, after the repeat of flooding, Yorkshire Water discovered an almost closed unmapped valve, which severely restricted the flow from the sewer to the Brickyard Cottages pumping station.

There was also a blockage in the screen in the Church Road weir chamber.

The combined effect resulted in the flooding of the properties, the report added.

When even more intense rain fell in September, no flooding was reported.

It said Yorkshire Water was working with residents in North Ferriby to help with repairs and the installation of flood resilience measures.

The report, which will be presented to East Riding Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday, says there are “known issues” with the sewers in Market Weighton and Cottingham, where there has been repeated flooding.

In Cottingham, Yorkshire Water now makes routine inspections of sewers “known to cause issues” and the council and Yorkshire Water have both made efforts to address the problems.

The report makes five recommendations for action by Yorkshire Water.