Delays are beginning to clear in Watford town centre after a water leak and broken down vehicle caused chaos.

Water Lane, just off the ring road, has been shut both ways due to a burst water main and Affinity Water is carrying out repairs.

The company has been given a permit of until December 6 to complete the repair but with Hempstead Road shut from 11pm tonight for 25 hours due to a NATO summit at The Grove, Hertfordshire County Council and the police will be wanting the road to open as quickly as possible.

Affinity Water is carrying out repairs in the vicinity of this bridge

We're told there has been a leak in Water Lane since last week, although at this stage, it's unclear what has caused the leak.

Affinity Water recently undertook a lead replacement programme on its pipes at this location back in September and October.

The closure caused long queues in the town centre during the evening rush hour.

At around 6pm, the ring road became completely gridlocked and there were long delays into town from Stephenson Way.

Traffic remains slow in Waterfields Way from Stephenson Way to Bushey Arches.

Drivers are diverting down Lower High Street to avoid the closure in Water Lane, but this route continues to queue from the ring road to the junction of Lidl.

Herts Highways also had reports of a broken down vehicle on the flyover on Watford ring road, which added to the delays.

This has now been cleared.