Both carriageways of the A421 in Bedfordshire now open after unprecedented flooding
This afternoon the A421 eastbound carriageway, near Marston Moretaine, reopened for the first time since record rainfall forced its closure almost three weeks ago, allowing traffic to return to the road in both directions.
Martin Fellows, Regional Director for National Highways in the East Region, welcomed the development and said: “We’re pleased to have the eastbound carriageway of the A421 open again, within 24 hours after seeing westbound traffic return.
“Everyone at National Highways recognises the support shown by local residents during the disruption. However, we still have work to do, including testing of the safety barriers, before we can remove the temporary 40mph speed restrictions currently in place.”
After becoming saturated during the flooding, ground levels are now drying out, and we’re now able to undertake the required safety tests on the barriers. To allow us to do this we require overnight lane closures during the weekend as follows. We are doing this at night when traffic levels are at their lowest and will cause the least disruption.
Eastbound Lane 1 and slip roads 8pm Saturday 12 October – 6am Sunday 13 October
Westbound Lane 1 and slip roads 8pm Sunday 13 October – 6am Monday 14 October
Once testing has been completed, we will look at removing the temporary 40mph speed restrictions currently in place, subject to barriers meeting the necessary safety requirements.
Since Sunday 22 September, the Marston Moretaine section of the A421 between the A6 at Bedford and the M1 junction 13, near Brogborough/Marston Moretaine, has been closed after a month of rainfall fell in under 48 hours.
Work began to clear 72 million litres of floodwater – which is equivalent to around 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools – using pumping equipment, 6km of pipes and a fleet of 25 tankers, water was safely dispersed to a number of sites where it did not add to the already saturated ground.
By Monday 7 October, the floodwater had been removed and tests showed that parts of the road required repair work after being under water for a prolonged period of time. This commenced immediately and included resurfacing the main carriageway, as well as the exit and entry slip roads. We are also carried out additional works including vegetation and litter clearance, filter drainage renewal and inspections. Further routine maintenance work was also undertaken while the road was closed to minimise future disruption for road users.
Temporary pumps have also been installed to replace the ones damaged by the flood, whilst the permanent replacement and solution is designed.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
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