RESIDENTS in the villages of London Colney and Colney Heath are today (Monday) still keeping a close eye on the River Colne after a flood alert was issued on Saturday.

The Environment Agency (EA) said that the upper River Colne and Radlett Brook at Colney Heath, London Colney, Borehamwood and Radlett peaked early yesterday morning and has now fallen back within its banks.

The EA warned that further showers may cause the river to rise and breach its banks again in the Colney Heath area.

In an update posted on its website at about 10am today, the EA added: “There is potential to see it rise again today and come out of banks in the Colney Heath area.

“We are aware the river is well within its banks [this] morning but due to showers that are forecast today, this flood alert will remain in force whilst the threat of rising river levels is present.”

Kim Parker-Mead, deputy clerk of Colney Heath parish council, said that while the river is high and flowing quickly, “it is not as bad as it was in the summer. We are not paddling yet”.

St Albans district Councillor for Colney Heath Chris Brazier said the common is “completely saturated”.

The council has organised sandbags and villagers are on “high alert”.