Flooding in Northampton caused by blocked drain, Highways England says

Commuters had another morning of chaos today as they were stuck on the A45 westbound carriageway into Northampton for up to two hours this morning as floods struck near Grange Park between the A508 and M1 J15.

A spokeswoman for Highways England has told the Chronicle & Echo this morning: "The flooding has been caused by a blocked drain on land next to the A45, which is not a Highways England drain.

"The pumping out and clear-up operation is well under way and we hope to have the road open in the next couple of hours but obviously that will be affected by any further rain."

Traffic is being taken off and back on to the A45 via the exit and entry slip roads at Berry Lane and Bridge Meadow Way - while London Road westbound still remains shut.

Northamptonshire County Council contested the flooding was caused by a drain.

But instead said the water is draining into a ditch, which is owned by Northamptonshire County Council and private developers but because of where it is it has not been adopted by Highways, under the local authority.

A spokesman for the county council said: "Highways England are responsible for motorways and trunk roads in Northamptonshire including the A45.

"At this location water also runs off the road into adjacent ditches.

"These are owned by both developers and Northamptonshire County Council but is not adopted highway.

"Northamptonshire County Council are currently working with Highways England and landowners to resolve the flooding issue."