Roads start to reopen after widespread flooding

A number of roads have reopened after heavy rain caused disruption across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Bedford Borough Council said the A6, Paula Radcliffe Way, between Bedford and Milton Ernest was open again, in both directions, after being shut for most of Friday.

Clapham High Street, close to Bedford, has also reopened.

A church said it would continue to offer help and advice to residents from Woolgrove Road, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, who were evacuated when about 45 homes were flooded after the River Purwell burst its banks early on Friday.

In Bedfordshire, the A421 has remained closed in both directions since Sunday, between the A6, at Bedford, to the M1 junction 13, near Brogborough/Marston Moretaine.

The National Highways said the carriageway was sitting under about 60 million litres of water and could be closed "for weeks".

In Stewartby, High Street, Great Barford, Green Lane, are all still closed, along with Harrold, Oakley, Felmersham, Turvey and Radwell bridges.

Bedford Borough Council asked drivers not to attempt to drive through flood water or remove road closure signs.

It said: "Our highways team will remove them when it is safe to do so."

East Hertfordshire Council said St Faith's Church, Hitchin, will be open from 10.30 -12:00 and 14:00 - 16:00 BST, on Saturday, to offer advice and a warm drink for residents affected by the floods.

It added that its street cleaning team would support the clean up work once flood waters receded.

Several flood warnings remain in place around Bedford, Milton Keynes and Shefford as well as parts of Hertfordshire.

Scientists said extreme weather events were becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change.

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