South Street finally reopens – two days after Affinity Water said it had!

A bungling utility company told the Indie today (Wed) that work in Bishop’s Stortford’s main shopping street was finished on Sunday evening and the road cleared at 6am on Monday – when in fact it was shut for two more days!

South Street was closed on Sunday evening from Marks & Spencer for “essential maintenance and repair” by Affinity Water, with the work due to finish at midnight on Wednesday (Nov 6).

The street was closed on Monday (Nov 4), with a barrier in place to stop traffic going through and the work by Affinity was cordoned off, yards further up the road.

On Tuesday all that remained was the road closure barrier, with cement around a small inspection cover the only sign of the water company’s work. The road was finally open on Wednesday morning.

The closure led to problems for deliveries to shops in the town centre and confusion for drivers, some of whom were forced to make U-turns.

A spokesperson for Affinity Water told the Indie today (Wed): “I can confirm that our team completed the scheduled work with an agreed permit on Sunday evening, with everything cleared by 6am Monday.

“Our teams have confirmed with our traffic management company that all equipment was collected afterward.

“However, we’re sending someone to double-check the area to ensure no equipment was left behind.

“Additionally, there are currently no Affinity Water activities showing on One Network for this location.”

A spokesperson for highways authority Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) said: “These were unplanned emergency works to enable Affinity Water to carry out repairs to a hydrant.”

The spokesman directed the Indie back to Affinity “for details of what happened on site”.

Affinity Water has been fined several times by HCC for starting work, closing roads and putting in temporary traffic signals without its permission.