Fed-up residents have called for a busy rat-run to be dug up and a water main replaced as figures reveal the route has been shut 29 times in the past four years.

Shalloak Road and Broad Oak Road in Canterbury have long been used by commuters to bypass the congested Sturry level crossing and A28.

But repeated closures – many sparked by burst pipes and leaks – continue to regularly leave the route off limits and locals facing lengthy diversions.

Earlier this year barriers shutting off the route were even knocked down as motorists ignored signs and continued to drive along Shalloak Road.

Some residents say they are considering moving away for a more peaceful life because of the frequent disruption.

Ivor Herdson, who lives at Broad Oak Lodge in Shalloak Road, told KentOnline he has spent a decade at loggerheads with those enforcing the closures, with the route shut seven times this year already.

“The pipes are constantly leaking; you can go up and down this road and you can see water on a hot sunny day and you think ‘oh, there's another leak’,” he said.

“The best answer would be to put in a new water main, but judging by the length of time the road is closed when they do a small section, it would probably be shut for a year if they did the whole thing.

“The city is so bad anyway – it only needs one road to be shut and the whole ring-road right round to Wincheap snarls up.

“I don't think there's been probably more than a few months in the 10 years I’ve lived here when there hasn't been a closure of some sort - it does cause hassle.”

Since October 2020, the route has been closed off 29 times for a combined 96 days.

South East Water has shut the road for more time than any other company, with 11 separate closures spanning more than two months – the longest for 18 days.

Network Rail has also overseen 11 closures, most often for two or three days at a time for level crossing maintenance.

Kent County Council (KCC) has shut the route four times to maintain the road, while private developers have been responsible for the remaining three closures for utility connections.

David Biggs, of Shalloak Road, says he is also frustrated by the closures and believes the road should be dug up and the water main replaced.

“That's what we've been asking for for a long, long time,” said the retired union worker.

“If they all work together, they could do all the work, close it for a week or so and get everything done.”

Of the closures in the past four years, more than 60% have been for unplanned emergency repairs.

In such an instance, KCC says the authority can often “be unaware” of a closure until after the works have started as utility companies are only required to offer two hours' notice.

South East Water’s distribution manager Adam Newbury says much of the work carried out in the area relates to burst water mains or leaks, meaning the firm is “unable to collaboratively plan this work with other utilities or organisations”.

“When the opportunity arises, we try to work together to reduce any disruption,” he added.

Due to the narrow layout of the route, partial closures are often not viable so diversions are put in place, moving more traffic onto the A28.

While there is hope from authorities and residents a new Sturry Link Road bypassing the level crossing will ease the pressure, delays to the project mean this will not be completed until December 2027 at the earliest.

A KCC spokesperson said: "Despite being the highways authority, we do not have the ability to dictate 100% of what works take place on the roads within our area.

“Under legislation, utility companies have an absolute right to access their equipment for inspections, repairs and replacement work.

“We know how disruptive and frustrating it can be when a road closure affects your journey. When you do see a road closure, this is always for essential works to upgrade and maintain the highway or the utility services that everyone relies on.”

A spokesperson for Network Rail added: “We know it’s frustrating for road users when level crossings have to be closed.

“Where the road network crosses the railway Network Rail has a very serious responsibility in ensuring that essential maintenance is done so that crossings can operate safely. We only close the crossing when it’s necessary.”