WOLLEN Eller Beck undermined the towpath separating it
from the canal and threatening around 700 homes in
As heavy rain continued to fall, workmen started building a
dam outside the Royal Shepherd Canal to try to deflect the
tidal wave from the town centre.
The trouble was caused by the collapse of most of the
towpath in Skipton Woods. Only a flimsy remnant of the
wall prevented the raging beck from crashing down into the
canal below.
Engineers said it was not a question of if but when the wall
gave way completely, sending a wave of around 10 feet of
water crashing into the canal below.
Our picture shows the scene earlier in the week when the
beck, on the left, rose above the canal and overflowed into
the canal, causing extensive flooding in the town.
Engineers hoped that by building a dam further down the
water would be diverted back into the beck rather than
descend upon homes alongside the canal in Keighley Road
and Broughton Road.
Around 100 residents heeded warnings and took up
temporary residence in Skipton Town Hall on Wednesday
night. Others made alternative arrangements or spent the
night hoping the danger would pass.
A respite from the rain saw the beck water level fall back
and the danger recede but the heavens opened again on
Thursday afternoon as workmen raced to build their
temporary dam.
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