Further rain forecast prompts warning to St Albans motorists

St Albans motorists have been warned to continue taking care on local roads over the next few days after last week’s severe weather toppled trees and caused flooding.

A spokesman for Herts county council said that many roads still have a significant amount of water on them, because of rising ground water levels, and with more rain forecast for tonight (Monday), tomorrow and New Year’s Day, motorists should take care.

Cllr Terry Douris, the council’s cabinet member for highways, said the authority had received reports of over 550 emergency and 257 non-emergency incidents county-wide during last week’s storms.

The majority of calls were about fallen trees and flooding.

A break-down of emergency calls to the council showed there were 99 for St Albans district between December 23-30, half of which were made on Christmas Eve.

December 24 was the busiest day elsewhere, with 300 emergency calls from across Herts in regards to the likes of traffic signals problems, and street lighting bollards and lighting columns being knocked down by strong winds.

Colney Heath Lane, recently reopened after it was closed because of flooding, has had its gullies emptied and the surface cleared of silt.

Pipers Lane in Harpenden, where a tree fell onto cables, has also been reopened.

Highway crews are on standby during the holiday period to deal with emergencies as they occur.

Cllr Douris said: “The high winds and heavy rains have made it difficult for Hertfordshire residents and road users.”