BRADFORD Council has given its thoughts on the flooding in parts of the district on Bank Holiday Monday - and is assessing the problems that hit Vicar Lane to "manage this going forward."

The Council says it regularly maintains the highway drainage infrastructure, but pointed out that an extraordinary burst of very heavy rain could overwhelm these systems very quickly.

It added that the major works taking place across the city centre includes more greenery and planting, to help reduce surface run off.

Images emerged of flooded roads, with the worst-hit streets including Vicar Lane - which runs down the back of the crown court and near the job centre.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The flooding experienced in parts of the district and beyond was a one in 150 year storm event, which delivered an incredibly concentrated burst of very heavy rain in a very short time over a small area.

"We are mindful of the increases in extreme weather events, such as flooding, due to climate change. Although we regularly maintain the highway drainage infrastructure, extraordinary events such as these can overwhelm those systems very quickly.

“New highways schemes like the work taking place as part of the improvements to the city centre are designed in line with national standards for extreme weather events. We also look to replace and make improvements as and when possible, as works allow.

“We are assessing the situation which occurred at Vicar Lane with Yorkshire Water, to understand what took place and how we manage this going forward.

“The scheme under construction in the city centre already includes more greenery and planting, to help counter some of the effects of climate change and reduce surface run off.

“The scheme at North Parade in the city centre and the work on North Street in Keighley are two examples of this type of work. Flood alleviation and tree planting schemes are also taking place in a variety of locations across the district that help to slow the flow of rainwater into our streets and waterways.”

Yorkshire Water said extreme levels of rainfall "likely resulted in the surface water flooding" and that the issue would sit under the Council’s remit, adding that its detention tank on George Street, near the Leisure Exchange, is "functioning as it should."