The ‘sinkhole’ depression which forced the closure of Hitchin’s Brand Street on Sunday has been caused by an Anglian Water drains issue – and the emergency road closure has been extended to next Friday.

Town centre manager Keith Hoskins indicated to the Comet this morning that in light of this the High Street would probably not be closed to motorists as usual this Saturday.

The extension means that traders in Brand Street may well continue to be hit. Kam Rad of the Avocado Sandwich Bar said on Wednesday that the road closure had claimed a quarter of his business.

A Herts County Council spokesman said: “Following excavation works, the site has been handed over to Anglian Water as there’s a problem with their drains which needs to be addressed.

“Anglian need to make repairs to the drains and reinstate the carriageway before Brand Street can be reopened.

“The emergency road closure has been extended to Friday, January 15, to cover these additional works.”