A section of a town centre car park will be fenced off tomorrow (Monday) for a cleaning operation to remove silt and sludge from the bottom of the tanks in front of St Mary’s Church, Hitchin.

The river running from Bridge Street to Portmill Lane will also be drained so that the river bed can be cleared. At the same time the fountain pump within the balancing tanks will be serviced, the gullies in the market will be jetted and the river will be cleared of rubbish.

The car park will be fenced off for up-to three days. Pedestrian paths will remain open, but some may have reduced access. Works are expected to be completed before the weekend and the tanks will be refilled again before January 18.