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Town centre underpass reopens after six years

Tony FisherBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Toby Friedner/BBC A pedestrian underpass bordered by brick walls and a set of concrete stairs with yellow handrails leading upward. The ground is covered in stagnant water with a layer of green algae, scattered debris, fallen leaves, and a partially deflated football. Graffiti artwork is visible on the back wall inside the tunnel. Toby Friedner/BBC
In January, a pump was fitted to keep the water out of the crossing

A town centre underpass, which has been out of action for six years due to flooding, has reopened.

The subway under St Mary's Way in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, had been closed due to persistent standing water caused by complex drainage problems

The overall cost to fix the issue, which involved extensive investigation, repairs and cleaning works, was £30,000, Buckinghamshire Council said.

Thomas Broom, Conservative cabinet member for transport, thanked residents for their patience and said he appreciated how frustrating the long closure had been.

Toby Friedner/BBC A set of outdoor brick-lined steps and an adjacent sloped pathway leading down to an underpass. Yellow handrails run along both sides, with a central metal barrier dividing the stairway. The area appears damp, with scattered leaves and debris visible on the steps and at the bottom. At the far end, the entrance to the underpass features colourful graffiti on the interior wall.Toby Friedner/BBC
Final repairs, including handrails, were completed before the underpass was safely reopened for public use

The underpass was closed in June 2020, and a full structural and drainage survey was carried out last year.

Workers discovered a continuous flow from a spring emerging through a weep hole in the structure.

In January, work began to install a new pump in a bid to keep the water out.

"Through a phased scheme, we've fixed and improved the drainage system so that the underpass can remain open going forward," Broom said.

"Specialist drainage contractors were brought in to empty standing water, install improvements to prevent future flooding, and carry out a deep clean of the site."

Toby Friedner/BBC A pedestrian underpass with tiled flooring and low ceilings, leading toward a brighter exit at the far end. Both walls are covered with colourful but worn murals depicting buildings and abstract designs, partially obscured by graffiti and peeling paint. Overhead lights cast a slightly uneven glow, with some fixtures appearing dim or discoloured. Toby Friedner/BBC
Councillor Thomas Broom said it had been a long-standing and complex problem to solve the cause of the flooding

Liberal Democrat councillor for Chesham North, Justine Fulford, said the town now had an underpass that would "improve safety for pedestrians".

"It is amazing, and most of Chesham is very, very pleased," she added.

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