With heavy rain predicted this month, that is the warning from Councillor Alex Petrie.

The heavy-duty steel shaft has been secured at Canal Head, on top of the wooden board which is used to control the flow.

But with the lock now preventing the board's removal, Coun Petrie fears heavy rain could cause the water to back up quickly and potentially cause flooding.

Those at risk include the homes close to Canal Head, the Wellington Oak pub and the Yorkway Motel, which suffered the most damage of all Pocklington businesses in the town during last June's deluge.

Coun Petrie, who lives at Red House Farm next to Canal Head, said: "It's just ridiculous – when we first saw it we just stood around shaking our heads. If it rains it could end up causing more flooding.
"Only one person has been given a key to remove the lock if it begins to back up, but what would happen if they're not around?

"I could try and remove it myself if it looked like flooding but then I'd just be accused of being a vandal."

The board, which sits next to the A1079, allows for some of the water to be redirected into a culvert which flows into Pocklington Canal.
When huge volumes of water flow along the beck, the board is removed to allow as much water to flow through as possible.

Despite the removal of the board in advance of last June's deluge, the sheer volume of rain water overwhelmed the beck and made little difference.

But Coun Petrie fears it would not take as much rainfall to cause flooding if the board can no longer be removed.

"We've asked why it was put there and British Waterways said it was to stop it draining the canal because people forget to put the wooden board back, which is just rubbish," said Coun Petrie.

"We want to protect our properties and we're always keeping an eye on it."

British Waterways have since stated that the work allows them to monitor the water levels of Pocklington Canal.

Fred Hartley, senior project engineer for the Yorkshire regional office, said: "The works which were recently carried out along the Pocklington Canal at Canal Head were completed in order to prevent any interference with the canal feed.

"We have to keep tight controls on the feed arrangements to the canal in order to keep a consistent water level, not only to prevent flooding, but also to stop the canal and beck from drying out.
"Monitoring the levels of waterways throughout Yorkshire is an essential part of our work.

"Our operations teams are continuing to ensure that feeds to the canal are kept to a minimum to maximise the water resources available."