Water Lane is very frustrating. A lot of money has been spent on attempting to flood prevent, but to no avail. Not least when, about five years ago, the lower of the two bridges was rebuilt, at great cost and no minor inconvenience to residents.

However, had the design consultants actually thought about it, they would have just used a few loads of Readymix on top of a culvert drainpipe, as the original river being crossed was diverted with the building of the M1 link road, to the upper bridge.

This channel has high sides to cope with excess water, until it joins the lower ditch.

So, in times of flood when the river level now over-tops the road, the pipe could be blocked with a back-flow preventer, and rain falling around the hotel pumped out into the river.

I wonder how much money was made through the new bridge works...The above modifications could still be done...

Nick King

Croxley Green