A burst water main has flooded a road which is set to be closed for several days.

The incident in Silver Hill Road in Ashford yesterday saw ankle-deep water pour across the street with those living nearby reporting low water pressures today.

Despite South East Water repairing the burst main, Kent County Council (KCC) bosses say the road by Winslade Terrace in Willesborough is set to be closed until Friday.

"The one-way system on Silver Hill Road has temporarily been rescinded to allow access for residents," KCC said.

"The alternative route is via Lees Road, A292 Hythe Road, A2070 Spur From M20 J10, Hythe Road, A2070 M20 J10 Roundabout, A2070 Kennington Road and Silver Hill Road.

"This is to enable burst water main repairs to be carried out by South East Water."

Davinia Gomes lives in Abbey Way and says the water was up to her ankles when she was walking her dog this morning.

"Luckily I was wearing wellies but the water was up to my ankles," she said.

"If I had not of had wellies on I wouldn't have been able to walk through it, it was too deep.

"I won't be walking that way tomorrow if it freezes overnight as it could be quite slippery.

"I noticed how bad it was when walking my dog so thought I would take a picture to send to my friend to out on Facebook to warn others. I use the cut through quite a lot and cars are still driving down there not know the road is closed."

Mrs Gomes runs her beauty business, Beauty by Davinia, from her home and says her clients have been inconvenienced by the road closure.

"My clients have had to go the long way around," she said.

"It is just inconvenient. It has affected my business quite a lot today as the water pressure has been low too.

"One of my friends who lives on the development says her washing machine would not work properly because the water pressure was so low.

"I don't know how long it could be until it is all fixed."

John Bailey, who lives in Wilson Close about 400 yards away, walked past the flooded route yesterday afternoon and says it is a "miracle" the homes were not damaged.

"I was walking to the post office and saw this amazing lake across the road with water bubbling out from the burst main on the far side which backs onto the industrial estate," the 71-year-old said.

"I think it is only a miracle really that the houses weren't flooded.

"The drain, which was improved a few years ago after some previous flooding, took most of the water away.

"If that had been the old drain which was regularly blocked, I think those houses would have been flooded."

Mr Bailey recalled "inadequate drainage" led to the same part of Silver Hill Road flooding a few years ago but on Monday the new drains had managed to cope with the deluge despite starting to "endanger the houses opposite".

A statement on the South East Water website about the incident says: "Our team on site has now completed the repair to the burst water main and you should now see your taps flowing as normal.

"If your water looks brown in colour, please don't worry as it is not harmful. This happens when small particles of iron within the mains are disturbed.

"Your water may also appear cloudy, or white. If you fill a glass of water and it clears from the bottom upwards then this means your water is just a little more aerated than usual.

"Simply run the water from your cold kitchen tap until the water is clear.

"Once again, we're really sorry about the disruption."

Andy Beston, regional network manager for South East Water, said: "We are very sorry to our customers affected by a burst four inch diameter main in Silver Hill Road, Ashford.

"Repairs to the pipeline have now been completed, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"We know that leaks and burst mains are frustrating, but with 9,000 miles of pipework and six million joints of different sizes withstanding pressure 24/7, it is inevitable some will leak or burst. We will work to get them fixed as soon as we can."