A421 could be shut 'for weeks' after major flood

A major road could be closed "for weeks" after a roadside pumping station became submerged in floodwater following torrential rain.

The A421 in Bedfordshire has been 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.

Regional director Martin Fellows told the BBC the reopening of the road "could well be weeks" away as "it’s quite likely the road is damaged".

Martin Fellows says the pumping station repairs could take a while

"Our priority is to do all we can to get this water away and the road up and running again as quickly as possible," he added.

"I have to say that is going to be extremely difficult, as we’ve had another two inches of rain overnight and more is predicted for next week."

Mr Fellows said they were trying to avoid moving water to other places affected by too much water.

"We're working closely with the drainage board and Environment Agency so we don’t run the risk of pumping water away and flood other areas along the A421."

An estimated 60 million litres of water is sitting on the A421

He said the submerged pumping station had become "visible" but was "actually underwater again" following heavy rain on Thursday night.

Repair work to it would take "quite a long time".

When asked by BBC Three Counties presenter Andy Collins why the pumping station had not been built on higher ground, Mr Fellows said when it was built "we didn't have the kind of rainfall issues we have now".

He added: "Once we clear the water, we have to check the road surface is safe before people can drive on it again.

"Just because the water subsides and we remove it, [it] doesn't mean the road can open immediately."

National Highways also appealed to people to "stay away from the site" to make it easier for teams to carry out their operations.