Vehicles stranded and roads closed due to severe flooding in Bedfordshire

Vehicles have been stranded and major roads closed after heavy rainfall and flooding in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Heavy rain fell on Sunday and into Monday on towns across the region, causing businesses to close as cars battled through the water.

Roads turned into rivers throughout Bedfordshire, including the A421 in Bedford - a major route across the county - which remains closed until at least tomorrow morning.

One car was visible above the water line, but more were under the surface.

National Highways said: "Three vehicles that have been abandoned in the flooded section will also need to be recovered. There are no reports of any injuries."

On Sunday, Bedfordshire police closed Dunstable's high street due to 'substantial flooding' and told people to avoid the area.

Woburn in Bedfordshire had a month's worth of rain fall in two hours, with 58.6 mm falling between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday. The normal September rainfall for Woburn is 55.4 mm.

In total, 120.4 mm of rain fell on Woburn from midnight on Sunday to 6am Monday morning. That's almost as much as the entire summer's rainfall - which was 121.6 mm.

A Met Office amber weather warning is in place for Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes until 9pm on Monday, with a continued yellow warning in place for the remaining eastern counties until midnight.

Flooding also affected Luton airport on Sunday but a spokesperson said the airport is open and fully operational.

They said: "During yesterday's torrential rain, our teams worked quickly to clear flash flooding on the airport approach, with access only briefly restricted."

Meanwhile, schools had to close across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire on Monday as clean-up continues following the severe weather.

13 schools across Bedfordshire were closed by the flooding, while the Jack Hunt school in Peterborough and Wollaston School in Northamptonshire were among those that also had to shut their doors to pupils.

On the roads, Central Bedfordshire council said storms in the "Dunstable, Flitwick, Cranfield and Marston Moretaine" meant there was severe flooding.

On Monday, Bedford Borough Council closed the Harrold Bridge due to the high levels of river water.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it received more than 400 calls on Sunday night and reminded people to take "extra care" and to "avoid flooded roads".

Labour MP for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, Alex Mayers, said: "One of the effects of climate change is more severe weather incidents like the substantial flooding we have seen in the area."It is heartbreaking for the local businesses, and people, affected today. I am sure everyone's thanks goes to the emergency services, and everyone helping in dealing with these incidents today."I understand this is an ongoing issue, and I so urge residents to stay safe, and please continue to follow the advice of the emergency services."

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