City of York Council will be carrying out essential work as part of phased repairs to the riverbank between Clifton and Scarborough Bridges, next week (20 August), lasting for approximately ten-weeks.

The work will involve repairing 420m of existing riverbank between the bridges, which has been damaged by river erosion and the growth of self-set trees, which are destroying the existing structure. Total failure of the embankment structure could damage the National Cycle Route 65 (running along the bank top) and a nearby public sewer serving the whole of Clifton.

The first part of the work was carried out last April when trees that were damaging the piling were cut back. A full survey was then carried out, before any works commenced, to ensure that nesting birds and protected species were not damaged.

Approval for the works has been given by both the Environment Agency and Canal and River Trust (formally British Waterways) and will be carried out by Land and Water Services.

River traffic will be largely unaffected by the works, and passage along the riverside footpath / cycle route will be maintained, with a local diversion into the adjacent field.