Flooding Catch-22 on ‘death trap’ A602 linking Hitchin with Stevenage

Regular flooding at the junction of Stevenage Road and The Willows/Whitehill Road is being investigated by engineers (Image: Archant)

Torrential rain meant the return of a deep pool of standing water which has plagued the A602 for months.

The firm which maintains highways for Herts County Council says it has been trying to sort the issue – but the road has been too busy.

Susan McCutcheon, who lives near the problem junction on the outskirts of Hitchin, said: “Drivers swerve to avoid the flooding but have nowhere to go if cars are waiting to turn into Whitehill Road. On occasions flooding has reached across the road.

“I’ve seen one car go round the bollards on the other side of the road to avoid the deep water.

“I am concerned every time it rains there will be a serious accident. It really is a death trap.”

In response to one complaint before Christmas, Ringway district service agent Derek Jerrard said : “We attempted to clear the blocked gully but unfortunately due to high volumes of traffic had to abandon the operation – we underestimated the traffic flow at this junction.

“We will be reprogramming this for early January when the specialist drainage vehicle is available.”