Avoid Berkhamsted's roads tomorrow, warns council

Drivers are being warned to avoid Berkhamsted town centre tomorrow as a collapsed building and a burst water main threaten to bring the roads to a standstill.

Temporary traffic lights are still in place at the junction of the High Street and Kings Road while the damaged building on the High Street is stabilised.

The three-storey property, which used to house men's outfitter Birtchnells, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday, but work to make the area safe is expected to continue for at least a week.

Additional temporary traffic lights will be in place further up Kings Road while engineers repair a burst water main between the Shootersway junction and the Ashlyns Road junction. 

Kings Road is currently closed, but Veolia Water plans to restore access to one side of the carriageway tomorrow.

A spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council said: 'Travellers are advised to expect queues, and avoid the area if possible.'