Safety fears to halt trial of flood barrier

A MAJOR review is being launched to protect a flooding black spot in York after safety concerns have been raised over trials for revolutionary removable defences.

The pilot of the Aquabarrier technology is now due to be halted after risks were identified that the removable units could actually lead to a "sudden and catastrophic" road collapse.

York Council's executive is due to meet on Tuesday next week when councillors are expected to end the Aquabarrier trials and introduce a revised action plan.

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Sand bags are now expected to be used in the River Street and Clementhorpe area of the city, where the Aquabarrier pilot has been taking place.

Council leader Andrew Waller confirmed that the geology of the area had caused concerns over the impact of the removable flood defences.

He added: "A decision on the Aquabarrier technology will be taken next week, but I anticipate we will now have to look at a range of other options to find a permanent solution to the risk of flooding in the Clementhorpe area."

The three-year pilot began in 2008 in Clementhorpe where 40 properties were flooded and another 50 buildings cut off by rising waters in 2000.

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The Aquabarrier technology has attracted interest around the world including disaster-hit communities as far afield as Poland, Greece and Louisiana in the US.

The Environment Agency has provided a 50,000 grant to help to pay for the trials.

No-one was available for comment yesterday from Aquabarrier Systems Limited.

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