Drivers face severe delays as eight feet of floodwater causes popular motorway to shut
Rain from Sunday has blocked the section of the motorway
PA
Drivers have been warned to expect long delays after flooding has blocked a major motorway forcing motorists to take new routes.
Flooding occurred at Marston Moretaine near Milton Keynes on Sunday evening along the A421 between the A6 and M1 J13 with the road covered in eight feet of water since.
This has severely impacted efforts to clear floodwater from the carriageway causing the affected area to remain closed. National Highways workers are currently at the scene using pumping equipment to clear the road.
At this time, it is expected that theA421 will remain closed for the remainder of the day until the flooding has reduced with National Highways unable to provide a timeline for the road to reopen.
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The A421 between the A6 and M1 J13 remains affected
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
As a result of the flooding, three vehicles have been abandoned on the road which need to be recovered before the carriageway can fully re-opened.
Drivers wishing to travel northbound are advised to follow the diverted route in place which is not symbol-led. From the M1 (J13) drivers should take the Bedford Road northbound towards Ampthill/Ridgmont.
From here, drivers should travel northbound on Bedford Road for approximately seven miles, continuing as it transitions into Woburn Road and passing through Brogborough and Marston Moretaine, to the Marsh Leys junction roundabout with the A6/A421 where they can re-join the A421.
Drivers wanting to travel southbound are advised to exit the A421 southbound at the Marsh Leys junction with the A6 for Northampton.
At the roundabout, they should take the second exit onto Woburn Road southbound towards Wootton.
Drivers should continue southbound on Woburn Road for approximately seven miles until it transitions into Bedford Road and passes through Marston Moretaine and Brogborough to reach J13 of the M1.
Posting on social media, National Highways wrote: “New incident. A421 both directions between A6 Bedford and M1 J13 near Marston Mortaine Bedfordshire. Road closed. Due to flooding following persistent torrential rain.
“If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. Plan ahead, you may wish to re-route or even delay your journey.”
The road is expected to remain closed throughout the night due to the high volume of water in the area.
Drivers can find the latest travel updates on the National Highways website and through the social media channel.
It comes as the Met Office has issued a further yellow weather warning for Thursday, with large parts of England being told to expect heavy rainfall.
Paul Gundersen, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said: “Further rain is likely for parts of England and Wales on Thursday.
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Road will remain closed throughout the night as work gets underway to clear the water
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
"If and where this falls on saturated ground, the sensitivity to potential impacts is increased.
"At present, the heaviest rain looks like falling across east-facing hills of northern England, although there is some uncertainty in the regional focus."