East and West Cowick flooding: Canal bursts bank

Emergency services have worked overnight to prevent homes flooding after a canal burst its bank.

Water flowed into fields near East and West Cowick in East Yorkshire after the Aire and Calder was breached on Sunday, according to the Environment Agency.

No properties have been flooded and water levels have stabilised, East Riding of Yorkshire Council said.

The area was badly hit by flooding in February, with more than 80 homes affected after heavy rainfall.

A helicopter will be used to try to plug the breach using bags of aggregate.

John Ward from the Canal and River Trust said although the soft earth had washed away, letting water through, the solid piles in the canal bank appeared to be holding.

"At the moment we are OK," he said

"We've got the piles there, but clearly we need to fill that hole and that's what the plans is. "Bring the helicopter in, lift those stone bags in. That will fill the hole and then we'll bring the clay in and that will provide the seal to stop the water leaking in."

The Environment Agency said flood warnings remained in place and advised drivers to avoid low-lying roads near the canal and rivers.

Local Conservative MP Andrew Percy, who visited the scene on Saturday night, said he was "optimistic" the action taken could prevent homes being flooded.

"Blocking dykes to stop the water draining back into East Cowick to help slow the flow and protect residents there," he said.

"When I left there at about 02:00 it was filling nicely on the south side of the M62. If it's on the south side that means it's not going to get to residents in Cowick, hopefully.

"Today is just putting the necessary aggregates and clay in to get this bunged up."

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