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Multiple village bridges closed due to flooding

BBC/Tony Fisher Felmersham bridge is submerged in water. It is hard to distinguish from a large body of water nearby divided by a line of bushes. a van is stuck on the bridgeBBC/Tony Fisher
The government has issued a flood alert to Felmersham where the bridge is closed

Bridges providing access to several villages remain closed due to flooding.

Bedford Borough Council said Oakley bridge was closed on Wednesday, joining a list of other closed bridges in villages north of the county town that includes Harrold, Felmersham and Radwell.

The government has issued flood warnings and alerts along the River Great Ouse.

The council said it was monitoring the situation and would reopen the bridges when it was safe to do so.

Tony Fisher/BBC A large pool of water stretches over a bridge as far as the eye can see.Tony Fisher/BBC
Oakley bridge was closed on Wednesday morning

Red flood warnings, meaning flooding was "likely", are in place on the river at Newport Pagnell north of Milton Keynes, from Turvey to Odell, and from Tempsford through to St Neots in Cambridgeshire.

The council also posted on Facebook that a yellow warning of rain on Thursday could bring more flooding.

Steve Hubbard/BBC The A421 near Marston MoretaineSteve Hubbard/BBC
The A421 near Marston Moretaine is still severely flooded, with tankers continuing to pump out water
Steve Hubbard/BBC A421 Marston Moretaine is severely floodedSteve Hubbard/BBC
Efforts to clear the A421 in recent days could be hampered by the threat of further rain on Thursday and Friday

Elsewhere in Bedfordshire, the A421 remains partly closed after a junction was submerged by water.

It was shut between the A6 at Bedford and the M1 junction 13 near Brogborough/Marston Moretaine on Sunday after torrential rain.

Articulated tankers and pumping equipment are being used to clear the route but no timeline has been given for reopening.

Steve Hubbard/BBC A421 Marston Moretaine severely floodedSteve Hubbard/BBC
The water has completely closed off the main A421 stretch, with Bedfordshire Police unable to confirm when it would reopen
Tara Dolby/BBC The bridge that accesses Harrold is submerged in water and appears completely impassable.Tara Dolby/BBC
Harrold bridge has been closed since Monday

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