A busy main road near a secondary school is set to be closed “all day”.

Pupils and parents will have to make their way to Norton Knatchbull school “through the town centre” after Hythe Road, Ashford was shut this morning.

Works being carried out by UK Power Networks, which started earlier this month and had seen traffic lights installed, are the reason behind the closure.

Stagecoach bosses announced that it was unable to drop off children at the gates today.

The bus service shared on its social media channels: “Due to UK Power Networks closing Hythe Road, we are unable to serve North School and Norton Knatchbull School stops. Children will be dropped at Mace Lane.

“Also we are unable to serve the Willesborough area.”

Norton Knatchbull School told parents the road could be closed throughout the day.

In a post on Facebook, a school spokesperson said: “We have just been informed that Hythe road might be closed near the bridge, on both sides, all day.

“Please make your way to the school through the town centre.”

UK Power Networks have confirmed it is aiming to reopen the road tonight.

A spokesperson said: “Our engineers are completing repairs to an underground cable fault in Hythe Road, Ashford, to maintain reliable power supplies for local homes and businesses.

“Due to the width of the road, and in discussion with the highways authority, a road closure was needed to safely complete repairs overnight, ready for reinstatement today.

“We are aiming to reopen the road under temporary traffic lights tonight and remove the roadworks tomorrow. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

One Network says the work started on January 17 is due to finish on Friday evening.