Latest updates on Sunday 16 February 2020
The government has approved the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project, the Prime Minister has confirmed.
The planned route linking London to Birmingham, and then on to Manchester and Leeds, has been given the go-ahead, the Prime Minister has just confirmed in Parliament.
The leader of Leeds City Council has welcomed news the government is set to approve the HS2 high-speed rail project but has called for commitment to bring the rail link to the city.
Image source, SIEMENS/PA MediaAn announcement on the HS2 route linking London to Birmingham, and then on to Manchester and Leeds, is expected by the prime minister today.
The government is expected to approve the whole line. However, it will try to make changes to the second phase of the project - the routes to Manchester and Leeds - to save money.
Leeds City Council boss Judith Blake said: "What we're looking for today is confirmation that it's HS2 all the way right through to Leeds.
"Leeds is already the busiest station in the North, we need it to come right into Leeds. then it's that next bit - linking in with Northern Powerhouse Rail so we get connectivity right the way up [the country].
"The connections in Yorkshire alone are appalling. We need a step change in confidence."
The rapper will join Liam Gallagher and Rage Against the Machine to top the bill.
Read MoreThe Humber Bridge is expected to remain closed to high-sided and "wind vulnerable" vehicles until tomorrow, the company which runs it has said.
Image source, PA MediaHigh-sided vehicles were banned from the bridge as the effects of Storm Ciara were felt across Yorkshire.
The bridge is still closed however as high winds hit the east coast of Yorkshire.
Motorists are being advised to check on social media before travelling.
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One of the main routes in and out of a North Yorkshire village has been closed due to flooding.
Image source, BBC Jeremy BuxtonThe traffic and pedestrian bridge over the River Ouse at Cawood is closed after the river peaked at 7.55m.
The Environment Agency currently has a flood warning in place for the area and says it is monitoring the situation closely.
A flood warning means flooding is expected and immediate action is required.
The closure means people wanting to get from Cawood to York, or vice versa, face a long diversion.
A couple are being forced to leave their home on the HS2 route.
Read MoreStormzy is to headline Leeds Festival this summer, it has been announced.
Image source, PA MediaThe rapper will top the bill with Rage Against The Machine and Liam Gallagher
Other acts due to perform are Slowthai, Gerry Cinnamon, Two Door Cinema Club, Sam Fender and Courteeners.
The festival takes place at Bramham Park over the August bank holiday weekend.
The northbound A1(M) has reopened after being blocked earlier by a portable cabin which fell from a lorry.
Image source, Highways EnglandThe carriageway was shut between J49 at Dishforth and J50 for Baldersby as a result of the incident earlier this morning.
Highways England said the portable cabin has now been recovered and the road was reopened shortly after 10:15.
The police watchdog is investigating the case of a 16-year-old boy who was taken to hospital with a head injury after being hit with a police baton.
Image source, GoogleSouth Yorkshire Police said officers had been responding to disorder on Saturday between football fans at Barnsley Interchange.
The matter had been referred to the IOPC, Assistant Ch Con Lauren Poultney said.
An officer was also taken to hospital with head and stomach injuries when violence erupted after the match.
Match Commander Ch Supt Sara Poolman said: "A full, open investigation will take place to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"This will include the actions that led to a 16-year-old boy sustaining a head injury from an officer's baton and an officer being assaulted, sustaining injuries to his stomach and head."
A 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.
Barnsley were playing Sheffield Wednesday in a Championship game at the Oakwell ground on Saturday.
People living on an unfinished housing estate on the proposed HS2 route say they have been left "in limbo" once again as the government is expected to give the project the go ahead.
Image source, PA MediaAn announcement on the route linking London to Birmingham, and then on to Manchester and Leeds, is expected by the prime minister later.
The government is expected to approve the whole line. However, it will try to make changes to the second phase of the project - the routes to Manchester and Leeds - to save money.
The current proposed route through South Yorkshire will cut through the Shimmer estate in Mexborough.
Becky Quartermain, who bought her "dream home" on the estate three years ago, says she's "disappointed but not surprised" to hear the news.
She said: "We’re going to be left in limbo again on an unfinished estate. Obviously they are going to build the line from London to Birmingham but now it looks like, if it does go ahead, at this end we’re getting a lower cost version. If they feel the need to cut the costs they need to just cut the line.
"What can I do now? Look for a new house. I can’t keep going with it over my head. It’s been nearly three years and we don’t know how much longer it’s going to go on."
The River Ouse in York peaked at around 4.35m (14.2ft) above normal levels.
Read MoreA man has died after being hit by a car in the centre of York, police say.
Image source, GoogleIt happened at about 02:30 on Sunday at the junction of Station Road and Rougier Street (pictured), North Yorkshire Police said.
The man, a pedestrian, was in collision with a grey Skoda Octavia.
Officers say the man who was in his 30s and from Leeds was pronounced dead at the scene.
Anyone who saw what happened is being asked to contact police.
The A1(M) has been closed northbound after a portable cabin fell off a lorry this morning.
Image source, Highways EnglandThe carriageway is currently shut between J49 at Dishforth and J50 for Baldersby.
Highways England say recovery work is under way but the road is likely to remain closed for up to two hours.
Image source, Highways EnglandFrom seeming like a procession to becoming a wide-open tussle - the Championship promotion race analysed.
Read More
Lisa Gallagher
Weather presenter, BBC Look North
It's another cold and windy day today and we still have a yellow weather warning for snow and ice in place across higher parts.
We may see some sunny spells but it will feel very cold with temperatures of just 5C or 6C.
The government will give the go-ahead for the entire High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line to be built, the BBC can confirm.
Image source, SiemensAn announcement on the rail project linking London to Birmingham, and then on to Manchester and Leeds, is expected by the prime minister on Tuesday.
While the whole line will be built, the government will seek a review of the second phase covering the North.
It hopes it will identify cost savings as well as integrating these lines into the existing railways.
The entire project is expected to be completed by 2040.
York is experiencing the highest river levels since the floods of Boxing Day 2015 following Storm Ciara at the weekend.
The Environment Agency has issued nine flood warnings along the River Ouse, external, including at Acaster Malbis Naburn and York, but says peak levels have not as high as anticipated.
The River Ouse in York has now peaked at 4.35m and the level is expected to start to fall later today.
Martin Slater from the Environment Agency says 30 tonnes of water per second is being pumped from the River Foss, in York, into the River Ouse, to prevent water backing up and flooding residential properties
He says: "We've got all the flood gates closed. We've still got three flood warnings in place so are urging people to be vigilant.
"We expect to be pumping water from the Foss into the Ouse for another day at least.
"So things are improving, but things are very wet out there."
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These are the latest pictures from around York and North Yorkshire this morning as the River Ouse reaches its peak following Storm Ciara at the weekend.
Reporters from BBC Radio York have been out checking on conditions and taking photographs.
The River Ouse in York (Blue Bridge Lane in the city centre pictured above) is peaking about now at 4.45m - the highest recorded level was 5.4m in November 2000.
The Environment Agency has about 20 flood warnings in place across North Yorkshire, external, covering parts of the River Swale, the Ure and the Ouse in York.
St George's field in York (pictured above) where the River Foss drains into the River Ouse is flooded, with some parked cars under water.
Meanwhile in Naburn, six miles south of York, the B1222 (pictured above) is blocked by flood water near Naburn marina.
The Environment Agency say they are "closely monitoring the situation" and have advised people to avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and to plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers.
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for the following locations along the River Ouse.
River levels have risen as a result of heavy rainfall associated with Storm Ciara which has buffeted Yorkshire in recent days.
A flood warning means "flooding is expected".
The Environment Agency say they are "closely monitoring the situation" and have advised people to avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and to plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers.
Good morning, there are nine flood warnings in place along the River Ouse in York and areas along the banks are underwater this morning.
According to current Environment Agency guidance the river is due to peak at about 07:00 at 4.45m - it's highest recorded level was 5.4m in November 2000.
During the floods of 2015 it reached 5.2m.
The video above shows the scene at St George's Field car park from about 03:30.