Skip to content

A421 to reopen two weeks after flooding

National Highways A picture of the A421 carriageway. The photo is taken from a bridge over the carriageway. The road is clear and traffic can be seen heading onto the road via a slip road. The sun can be seen rising in the distance. National Highways
The A421 has been cleared of floodwater and will be back open to motorists again

A road that was submerged under millions of litres of water will reopen after it was closed for two weeks.

The A421 at the Marston Moretaine Interchange in Bedfordshire closed on 22 September after a month's worth of rain fell in under 48 hours.

National Highways crews had to pump out 72 million litres (15.9 million gallons) of water and have carried out repairs on the road.

Martin Fellows, East of England director for National Highways, said crews had made "significant progress" and the road would reopen on Monday morning.

Tony Fisher/BBC Three tankers can be seen parked at the side of the A421 next to a pumping station. They have long hoses that are stretched to the pumping station. Cars can be seen in the distance on the carriageway.Tony Fisher/BBC
Highways crews are at the A421 pumping water out from the pumping station that had previously flooded

"Due to damage caused by flooding to some sections of the road, repair works will continue," he added.

"Sections will be reduced to one lane in places and there will be diversions and speed restrictions to keep everyone safe."

The road was closed between the A6 at Bedford to the M1 at junction 13 near Marston Moretaine.

Mr Fellows thanked motorists for their patience following the "disruption and inconvenience".

Tony Fisher/BBC Highways crews are pictured on the A421. Tanked can be seen parked on the hard shoulder at the side of the road with large pipes coming from them. Workers in high-vis jackets can be seen on the road while there are vehicles in the distance heading onto the road via a slip road.Tony Fisher/BBC
National Highways warned drivers there was some additional work on the A421 that needed to be conducted

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More on this story
Related internet links