Environment Agency offers York flood barrier reassurance

The Foss barrier will be able to cope with continuing high river levels in York, the Environment Agency has said.

Four of the eight pumps at the barrier failed on Friday resulting in flood warnings for hundreds of householders.

The Environment Agency said early indications were the pumps had failed due to overheating.

The barrier prevents flood water from the River Ouse backing up the River Foss and protects thousands of homes in the city from flooding.

Kim Andrew, from the Environment Agency, said: "We are confident the pumps will last through this week. They are repaired and back to what they should be doing but we are continuing to monitor the situation."

Heavy rainfall earlier means <link> <caption>flood warnings</caption> <altText>Flood warnings</altText> <url href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/34678.aspx?type=Region&term=Northeast" platform="highweb"/> </link> remain in force in York.