FLOOD water is still causing disruption on the roads and rails today as the Army helps residents continue the clean-up.

Soldiers, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and the police have been helping communities.

Andrew Gallant, Acting Chief inspector of Bradford neighbourhoods, said: "We are more than happy to support the local authority and it never ceases to amaze me how people from every walk of life come together in their greatest time of need, the community’s resilience and resourcefulness have been the foundation of a partnership to stabilise many of those who’ve been affected.

"With Met Office weather warnings in place for Wednesday for further rain, it is not thought that this will be as significant as last weekend but local residents are asked to be prepared with much of the ground already saturated with water.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"We will continue to work together with the Local Authority to keep people informed and reassured but would also encourage members of the public to monitor the weather forecasts at www.metoffice.gov.uk so they are able to anticipate any issues before they occur whilst also considering those people around them.

"Sandbags will be distributed in key locations, largely in the north side of the district considered to be most at risk. Hopefully we have seen the worst of the weather and we can look forward to getting back to normality."

Trains are not running between Leeds and Shipley because of flooding between Leeds and Apperley Bridge stations. No replacement bus services have been able to run because of flooding.

But Northern Rail this afternoon said it expected services between Shipley, Ilkley and Leeds to re-open in time for the first timetabled services to run tomorrow morning. 

In Baildon, Coach Road remains closed between Otley Road and Green Lane.

In Ilkley, Denton Road is closed, pending a safety assessment of the bridge tomorrow, but one lane has reopened at Cowpasture Road, where a sinkhole opened.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Cowpasture Road, Ilkley. Picture by Jane Aitchison.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The shaded areas show the potential extent of flooding

 

For the latest on road and rail disruption, click here: Live traffic and travel news for Bradford.

Fire crews have been helping with the flooding clear-up operation overnight.

Firefighters from Bradford and Fairweather Green stations were pumping water from affected homes in Florist Street, Keighley.

And with the district still reeling from the worst flooding in decades, the Environment Agency has said flood warnings will remain in place across West Yorkshire for the next three days.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF READERS' FLOOD PICTURES

The Environment Agency has warned that further rainfall expected on Wednesday will bring "a new risk of significant flooding across parts of the north of England".

It has issued a yellow warning for flooding in West Yorkshire, valid for today, tomorrow and Wednesday.

A severe flood warning - meaning there is a danger to life and infrastructure - remains in place today at the River Calder at Brighouse. Atlas Mill Road, Briggate, Mill Lane, Armytage Road, Birds Royd Lane, Foundry Street, River Street, Cliffe Road, Bethel Street and Ganny Lock are said to be the roads worst affected.

COUNTING THE COST OF THE BRADFORD BOXING DAY FLOODS

There are red flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - still in place at dozens of points in West Yorkshire, including at Keighley, Nab Wood, Bingley, Cottingley, Crossflatts, Rodley, Shipley and Skipton.

This includes the River Aire in the following places:

At Stockbridge and Keighley, including Garforth Road, Aireworth Road and the miniature railway;

Downstream of Keighley Industrial Park, along Roydings Avenue to Bradford Road, Keighley;

The area bounded by Kinara Close, Aireworth Road and Florist Street, including Aireworth Grove, Keighley;

Branksome Drive and Branksome Grove, Nab Wood; Bingley, including Harden Road at Ireland Bridge, Old Main Street, Queen Street and Myrtle Place;

Harden Beck at Beckfoot, Bingley;

Cottingley, including Backfoot School on Wagon Lane, and Ash Grove and Aire View Avenue;

The area to the north west of Bingley extending from Bailey Hills at Waterside, Woodland Court and Longwood Avenue to Castlefields Industrial Estate, Crossflatts; Rodley, including Rodley Waste Water Treatment Works;

Shipley, including east of Hirst Mill extending through Roberts Park towards Baildon Bridge, and also the Charlestown area from Dockfield Road as far as Buck Mill Bridge;

Skipton, at the Snaygill Industrial Estate from the sewage works to Ghyll Way and also, further downstream, Cononley Business Park on Cononley Lane and Aireside Avenue;

It also includes the River Calder at the following points: Nun Bank Hotel and pub and Robin Hood's Cottage on Wakefield Road, Brighouse;

Brookfoot Mills, Brighouse.

As the waters subside, flood warnings have been lifted at various points, including the River Spen through Littletown, Liversedge and Cleckheaton, the River Aire at Steeton and the River Wharfe at Otley, Ilkley and Addingham.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The aftermath of flooding at Lorna Jayne Whitaker's house in Bingley

Northern Powergrid said power has been restored to around 35,500 of the 37,000 homes and businesses affected in West Yorkshire. 

"Our well-rehearsed emergency plans remain in place and we would like to reassure customers that we are doing everything possible to restore power, with the safety of our engineers and customers being our number one priority," a spokesman said.

Engineers have been monitoring the situation in West Yorkshire to assess any potential further impact on the power network. 

"River levels are now believed to have reached their peak and our existing flood defences in key substation sites coupled with our high pressures pumps have performed well to protect our assets considered at risk, particularly those supplying high volumes of customers."

A takeaway owner in Cottingley called the Telegraph & Argus to say he was donating food to people in the community today.

Mohammed Farid of Anmol on The Parade, said the areas of Shipley, Bingley, Baildon and Cottingley were where his customers lived.

“This is our community and we want to help them,” he said.

He and colleagues will be taking chicken and rice to people being supported in the town.

Bradford Council today said it would be keeping Keighley Leisure Centre open as a rest centre throughout the night.

"It's warm and, most importantly, dry," a Council spokesman said.

"Meanwhile, Esholt Lane will remain closed until nightfall whilst we clear all debris."

"All our Household Waste Recycling Centres are open to accept items from flood damaged properties. Thanks to firms for providing free skips.

"The Army have been helping residents clear up in Castlefields Lane, Bingley, this morning. More troops are on the way to help residents of Riddlesden.

"If roads are closed due to flooding, please don't drive down them. Don't put yourself at risk!

"And please remember that flood water is dangerous and can contain contaminants and debris. Don't risk it- don't play in it."

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland has praised the response of local residents, businesses and also the emergency services. He has also repeated calls for more investment in flood defences and putting them in place quickly, including on the River Wharfe.

The heavy rain of Boxing Day meant the River Wharfe rose from its typical level of 0.6 metres in Otley to 2 metres. 

Mr Mulholland (Lib Dem) visited families in Otley whose houses had been flooded and joined in the town’s clear-up yesterday.

He said there needed to be discussions to look at how preparation for flooding could be improved, having raised the matter in Parliament as early as 2011, when he met with environment ministers to highlight the need for flood defences in Leeds. 

Mr Mulholland repeated calls for more investment in flood defences and putting them in place quickly, including looking at schemes on the River Wharfe too.

He said: "The flooding has been worse than expected and devastating in some areas, we must do all we can to help and support those who have had homes, businesses and farms flooded.

"Many communities in the Wharfe and Aire valleys have been affected and will need support. In my constituency, Otley was the worst area affected with homes flooded for the first time in years and it was heartbreaking to visit families who had seen their homes flood on Boxing Day.

"There has been a magnificent community response with many people offering help and shelter, people were out yesterday assisting with the clear-up on foot and others briefing vans and cars to shift damaged furniture and carpets. B & TS Building Supplies made a fantastic contribution by delivering sandbags to affected homes, Otley Lions have offered support and other people have offered shelter and there is already a fundraising effort going on, with donations being accepted by the Black Horse and online. So a huge thanks to all who have helped so far, the work will carry on for some days.

"I also want to thank the police, fire and rescue service and council staff who worked around the clock dealing with the floods and the devastation they caused over such a wide area.  A particular thanks to the fantastic crew from Otley Fire Station who came out to pump water from homes on Farnley Lane, the worst affected area in Otley.

"There now needs to be discussions on how we can be better prepared for floods, including looking at new flood defences. The floods and unseasonably high levels of rain and warm temperatures are also a powerful reminder of the need to do more to tackle climate change, locally, nationally and internationally".

Send your flooding pictures to newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk

Useful website links and information

Environment Agency

Bradford Council helpline -  01274 431000

Calderdale Council emergency website

Latest traffic and travel information 

Northern Powergrid - 0800 375 675

For emergency Environmental Health advice call 01274 431000. Emergency advice available until 1am and offices reopen tomorrow at 8am.

Flood victims in Shipley and Baildon can ring the Salvation Army on 07951471652 for practical help.

Aviva advice for what to do if you have been flooded

  • Contact your insurer as soon as possible
  • Don’t touch any of your electrics - they could have been damaged by water and  become live
  • Start identifying items that have been damaged, make a list and take pictures if you can – this will make it easier to assess the damage and speed up your claim.
  • If you can try and lift any items out of standing water – EG, if your carpets are saturated, try and raise any furniture off them on to wooden blocks this will prevent more water soaking into your belongings and help reduce further damage.
  • Listen in to local weather reports in case further rainfall is forecast.