Storm Christoph: Flooding at Shipley, Cottingley and Saltaire

Flood warnings were in place in Shipley, Saltaire, Bingley and Cottingley as the River Aire was particularly affected.

Fire crews were called out to Castlefields in Bingley to pump flood water into the river as the heavy rain continued throughout the day.

Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club fell victim to flooding, which was earlier identified as the area most at risk in the district.

Fire crews pump water out at Castlefields

The club's pitch and surrounding areas, including car park, were flooded, but the club installed flood defences to protect its clubhouse in November last year, which are believed to have worked in this instance.

The club’s ground has fallen victim to a few floods over recent years, most notably on Boxing Day 2015.

Nick Patterson, club president, said: "I feel pretty stoic. We are used to it.

"We have had three major floods since the millennium where the water was 10 foot deep in the clubhouse. 2015 was the worst one. That was the one that nearly took us out of business.

"We know it happens at the club and it's not as bad as it could have been. It does not take much to get the pitches flooded.

A flooded Bradford & Bingley Rugby Club in Wagon Lane, Bingley, this morning

"We can't magic ourselves 100 foot above the water level, unfortunately. We got flooded in February 2020.

"We have to wait until it subsides and then assess what to do.

"Hopefully the water goes down as quickly as it came up.

"I have not been down there myself today, but the water is probably a couple of foot deep."

River levels across the Aire rose as a result of the persistent rainfall associated with Storm Christoph.

A flood warning was in place for Shipley today including east of Hurst Mill extending through Roberts Park at Saltaire towards Baildon Bridge.

High river levels at Roberts Park in Saltaire today

This also included the Charlestown area from Dockfield Road as far as Buck Mill Bridge. The warning added immediate action was required.

Bradford Council closed the path through the Aire Valley Sculpture Trail from Baildon Bridge to Saltaire due to flooding.

In Saltaire, the River Aire also rose at Roberts Park, almost reaching the grass at the site at its peak this morning.

A small section of Apperley Road in Apperley Bridge was closed between junctions of Harrogate Road and Apperley Lane to enable fire crews to help with pumping out the car park of the George & Dragon pub, reducing the risk of flooding to nearby properties.

River levels at Cottingley continued to rise and remained high for the rest of the day.

In Kirklees, Chadwick Fold Lane in Mirfield was closed due to flooding

Residents were warned of potential flooding of property, roads and farmland. They were also warned to move possessions and valuables off the ground or to safety and do not walk or drive through fast moving water.

Other River Aire flood warnings in the district were in place at Cross Hills including the Airedale Trading Park.

There were also reports of a power outage at Haworth this morning with around 330 customers affected.

This was the scene in Otley this afternoon

But the heavy rain in the district is set to be replaced by mostly dry and sunny conditions today, apart from sleet showers in Bradford in the early hours of this morning.

However, a yellow weather warning for ice is in place for Bradford, and areas of northern England and western Scotland, from 4pm today until 10am tomorrow.