Flooding from Storm Bert Prompts Bridge Closures

Flooding resulting from Storm Bert has led to the closure of several road bridges within a county. According to Bedford Borough Council, bridges located at Harrold, Radwell, and Felmersham have become impassable. The council also reported that the A428 at Turvey Bridge, which was already flooded, was further obstructed by a disabled vehicle. The council has issued a strong recommendation to the public to refrain from removing barriers or attempting to drive through closed areas, stating that these routes will be reopened once conditions are deemed safe. Elevated water levels in the River Great Ouse have also rendered Harrold-Odell Country Park inaccessible. The park’s primary entrance, along with pathways surrounding the park and its river meadows, are submerged. Within Bedford, water levels along the embankment continue to be elevated. The council advised: “Do not walk or drive through flood water.” It further cautioned: “Floodwaters may contain sewage and hide rubbish, wreckage, uneven roads and pavements, or broken drain and manhole covers.” Subsequent to the storm, the council announced that a leaning tree situated in a Bedford Park car park would be felled because its root plate had “lifted further.” The authority indicated that the tree, which had been leaning for some time and under observation for five years, would be taken down due to the “potential risk” it currently presented. The authority commented: “We understand this might be disappointing news for some, but safety is our top priority.” It added: “We are exploring options for replacing the tree with a new, suitable species that will thrive in the park.” For updates on news from Beds, Herts, and Bucks, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.