Drivers in Bedford Borough are being warned to only travel if they really need to and allow extra time as heavy rain and flooding has closed roads in the area.
As well as some local minor urban and rural roads being affected, the A421 in both directions between M1 junction 13 and A6 (Bedford) had a full closure.
National Highways has now confirmed flooding on the A421 has now cleared between M1 J13 at Brogborough and the A6 at Bedford. The carriageway is now open with no residual delays.
We are awaiting updated from the Highways Agency and Bedfordshire Police on other road closures.
The A6 from the Sainsbury’s roundabout up to Clapham is also badly flooded and while The Embankment in Bedford is open, Oakley bridges, Felmersham bridge and Harrold bridge are closed.
The road is now closed under the railway bridge in Stewartby after cars got stranded there. Cars are also stranded in flooding in Great Barford High Street.
There are other localised areas of flooding across the Borough and Bedfordshire Police advise people to stay indoors and avoid travel if they can, and keep their eye out for flood warnings and advice.
They also warn motorists not to drive into flooded roads and only call 999 in an emergency.
Weather forecast
A yellow rain warning was issued by the Met Office yesterday (Thursday) for low lying areas close to the River Great Ouse in Bedford Borough following heavy rainfall from Storm Henk.
Read: Bedford floods: Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service issues advice after man trapped in flood water
National Highways have advised that road closures are likely to remain in place until water levels drop and clear ups can take place.
Weather forecasters say that residual rain and showers are likely to persist for a time over rthe East of England during this morning, along with gusts of 30 mph.
A few showers look possible into the early afternoon.
Other road closures in the region include:
- M25 junction 9 (Leatherhead) to 10 (A3) clockwise: Two lanes of four closed
- A3 within A247 junction: Entry slip road closure
- A34 between A4183 (Abingdon) and A415: Southbound carriageway closure
- A34 between A420 and A44 (Oxford): Full closure in both directions
- A421 between M1 junction 13 and A6 (Bedford): Full closure in both directions
- A3 between A272 (Petersfield) and B3006: One of two lanes closed in both directions
This is a developing news story and further information may be added as it becomes available.
Update: This article was updated on 5 January 2024 at 09:13 to add further road closures and amend the headline to include further road names.
