Drivers urged to stop putting lives at risk in floods

Drivers are being urged not to ignore road closure signs, amid some of the worst flooding to hit North Yorkshire in more than a decade.

There are reports of some people taking risks by going through the waters and using bridges that haven’t been checked by structural engineers.

Assistant Chief Constable Iain Spittal, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “A large number of bridges on minor roads have been submerged or have had significant water pressure on them over the past few days. By crossing them before they have been deemed safe people are potentially putting their lives at risk.

It comes as flooding has been causing problems across the region for a third day.

The River Ouse is York has reached near record levels, surpassing 5 meters earlier. Fire crews there have been pumping water away from homes and businesses. Carers at a residential home on Skeldergate had to sail into work earlier in order to give their elderly patients medication.

For the latest information about flood warnings in your area, please go to the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call the Floodline on 0845 988 1188.