One of Canterbury’s most frequently used roads remains shut more than two weeks after it closed for urgent work.

A mile-long stretch of Broad Oak Road is still blocked to all traffic as workmen - who have dug a deep and quarry-like hole in the centre of the carriageway - continue to carry out repairs.

With the government advice to ‘stay at home’, the lengthy closure is not causing the inevitable traffic chaos it would have done in normal times.

But it is still a great inconvenience for key workers needing to use the city’s road network.

The closure, between the Kingsmead Road roundabout and Vauxhall Road, was first enforced on December 30 due to a burst water main.

The ruptured main has since been fixed and water flow for all residents restored.

The route was set to reopen more than a week ago, but the work has left a car-sized hole in the middle of the road which is “complicated” to repair.

Kent County Council says the estimated reopening of the route is on Monday. But South East Water - which is managing the repairs - has not given a specific date.

Bosses instead state they are working “as fast as possible” to resolve the issue.

The water firm’s distribution manager Adam Newbury said: “We are really sorry repairs to Broad Oak Road are taking longer than first expected.

“We are working as quickly as we can to get the road reopened and know it has been very frustrating for the residents and business owners in the area.

“Getting the carriageway repaired has been complicated because of other utilities in the ground. For the safety of the public and our workforce, the road has had to remain shut while we carry out the work.

“The damaged water main was repaired soon after the burst happened on December 30 and customers affected were given bottled water until supplies were fully restored. We will continue to work as fast as possible and again apologise for the disruption it has caused.”

The alternative road for those heading out of the city is via Kingsmead Road, left onto Sturry Road, and then onto Vauxhall Road past the city’s tip and onto Broad Oak Road.

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