SWARCO UK & Ireland has partnered with North Yorkshire Council to deliver an expanded flood detection and electronic warning system on the A684, a key east–west route crossing the Yorkshire Dales.
The new system provides real-time flood warnings to motorists using automated detection sensors and electronic Variable Message Signs (VMS), helping road users make safer, more informed journey decisions during periods of heavy rainfall.
Three new electronic warning signs have been installed, one at the Warlaby crossroads, with two more installed on the approaches to the eastern Bedale bypass roundabout. They complement an existing network of signs introduced in earlier phases of the project, creating a coordinated system that spans multiple flood-prone locations along the route.
The A684 is susceptible to flooding during periods of prolonged and intense rainfall, historically requiring manual intervention by highways teams following reports from members of the public. The new system enables faster, automated responses by detecting rising water levels and activating warnings without the need for on-site attendance.
Cllr Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Transport, said:
“Flooding on the A684 can cause significant disruption, particularly during prolonged periods of wet weather. This system allows us to respond more quickly and provide reliable, real-time information to road users, improving safety and reducing the need for manual intervention.”
Brian McFarlane, Regional Operations Manager at SWARCO UK & Ireland, said:
“By linking real-time flood detection directly to roadside warnings, this new system helps ensure that drivers receive timely, reliable information before they reach affected sections of the network. It’s a strong example of how intelligent infrastructure can support safer journeys, particularly on rural routes where conditions can change quickly and alternative diversions may be limited.”
The project builds on a £418,000 flood detection scheme installed in 2022 – the first of its kind in North Yorkshire – funded through the Government’s Safer Roads Fund. The latest phase was supported through North Yorkshire Council’s Economic, Regeneration, Tourism and Transport Project Development Fund Agreement, with additional funding from the Environment Agency via the West Yorkshire Flood Innovation Programme (WYFLIP).
SWARCO installed seven electronic at strategic locations between Bainbridge, Worton, Askrigg, West Witton and Wensley. The signs can be automatically triggered by flood sensors or updated remotely to warn of closures and other incidents, providing flexibility for both planned and unplanned events.
(Picture: SWARCO UK & Ireland)
