A section of residential road swallowed up by a huge sinkhole could remain shut for up to six weeks.

The gaping void – estimated to be five metres deep – opened up in Martens Avenue, Bexleyheath last week.

Police and fire crews were called to the street at the junction with Watling Street/London Road headed towards Dartford on Tuesday evening.

The hole caused the road to collapse and power was shut off to some neighbours due to extensive damage underground.

Thames Water worked overnight on Wednesday to restore services.

Council engineers are also working with contractors to clear the site, repair the damage and arrange for the road and footpaths to be restored.

Crews worked extended hours over the weekend to remove material from the hole including a motorbike that was reportedly left by an unsuspecting driver who spotted the sinkhole at the last minute and tried and failed to jump the chasm.

From today Thames Water will start replacing the damaged sewers.

In an update posted online, Bexley council estimated the works could take more than a month to fix.

"The council’s engineers currently estimate that it will take about six weeks to clear the site, fill the hole, repair Thames Water’s pipes below the ground and then re-lay the road surface and footpaths," they said.

"They have employed specialist companies to carry out a ground survey of the area to identify any other locations of concern.

"Local residents will be updated on the progress of the work.

"We are sorry for the inconvenience caused while the repairs are taking place."

There were no reports of any injuries but the the collapsed area – which spans the entire width of the entire street – means a cordon remains in place for pedestrian safety.

Neighbours described hearing a "crash bang" on the night of the incident followed by the arrival of the emergency services.

Resident Mark Joynes, 38, said: "About 9pm I heard a massive crash bang and looked out the window and there was a massive hole in the road.

"It was completely out of the blue. I had driven over it just a couple of hours ago so thankfully no one was hurt."

It comes shortly after a collapsed water sewer was reported nearby in Crayford Road next to the drive-thru McDonalds, near Dartford – just six months after it occurred in the same spot.

Repair work to fix the collapsed water sewer started last month and is not due to finish until July 6 adding to existing traffic woes.