Traffic misery for drivers travelling on the A251 is set to continue into next week.

Motorists have faced heavy delays on the major route entering Ashford from Faversham since yesterday (July 10).

The congestion is due to a water leak at the route’s junction with Trinity Road opposite Towers School in Kennington.

Contractors have installed three-way temporary traffic lights and closed the left-hand turn onto Faversham Road from Trinity Road.

The work is causing commuters to experience queuing in all three directions.

Some suffered more than 30 minutes of congestion near Eastwell Manor during rush hour this morning.

The A251 links Faversham and Ashford via Challock.

One person described the delays online as “absolute carnage” during rush hour yesterday evening.

South East Water’s Andy Beston says work is not estimated to be complete until Monday, July 15.

The company’s regional network manager said: “We were alerted to a burst on a 10-inch diameter water main in Trinity Road, Ashford on Wednesday evening.

“We have since been carrying out repairs under multi-way traffic lights on Freathy Lane and Trinity Road.

“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused to the community by our work and any impact this has had on traffic in the area.

“The repair has now been completed and we are working to reinstate the road by Monday (July 15).

“We understand seeing water lost to leaks can be frustrating, but be assured fixing leaks and saving water is one of our top priorities.”