Flood defences in York have worked so well, the city is now facing an increasing risk of subsidence, a report has claimed.
It said broken sewers and service pipes and road subsidence have all been identified as possibilities in a preliminary study, which also raised concerns about new builds adding to the `drought effect'.
"It is essential that research is carried out now before these sort of things start to happen," said Joe Holden of Leeds University, which has been commissioned to check the conditions of the ground beneath York.
The survey, which is funded by the National Environmental Research Council and English Heritage will test concerns that water tables have fallen in the area because of flood defences protecting the city from the rivers Ouse and Fosse, said the report.
They are particularly concerned about the possible effects of subsidence upon the Roman, Viking and medieval remains below the city.
