Flood water has to be cleared at Biggleswade’s Potton Road crossing

After the crossing was installed for the last two weeks of the school term to help children, there have been reports of flooding at the site, with CBC now using its ‘Super Vac’ to clear a drain.

CBC Cllr Dr Hayley Whitaker said: “People have not been using it for fear of being splashed by passing cars whilst waiting for the lights to change.

“I contacted colleagues in CBC Highways last week and they were quick to respond, sending a team out to clear the drain the same day.

“However, when I visited the site on Sunday (July 19) after an evening of rain, the flooding had returned.”

A CBC spokeswoman said: “We went out last week to clear the drain. However, after an evening of heavy rain the flooding had returned and it was clear the drain was not successfully draining.

“We had our Super Vac visiting the site [on July 23], which has a more powerful jet pressure which unblocks even the toughest of blocked drains and pipes. Once it is clear we will be able to get a better idea on the issue and we can fix the problem.

“We used Covid-19 Emergency Active Travel Funding to help us to install this temporary crossing during the last two weeks of the school term to help with social distancing. This crossing will be removed during the school holidays and then reinstated ready for the start of the new school year.”