The A249 at Sittingbourne could remain closed after the weekend following this week's burst water main.

Southern Water's contractors have been working to repair the 18-inch pipe since Monday and the Sheppey-bound carriageway has been shut off between Key Street
and Bobbing while it goes ahead.

Its work is due to be completed by Sunday but once the water company has finished on site, Highways England has to check whether the leak has damaged the road.

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A Highways England spokesman said: "Engineers are still assessing potential damage to the road.

"It's too early to give an exact finishing date for that. We hope to have more information shortly.

"Sunday was the date by which Southern Water would finish their work.

"We would then have to ensure the structure of the road is safe."

The 'traffic information' page on the Highways England website says drivers should expect delays until 11.59pm on January 22.

But the spokesman said: "That's the current estimate for the longest time it's likely to take but it's possible it will be cleared more quickly than that."