Motorists will have to endure five more days of diversions as work to repair a collapsed main route between Herne Bay and Canterbury begins.

The A291 Sturry Hill has been sealed off since Monday evening at the junction with Old School Close because of severe damage from a blocked sewer.

But Southern Water workers did not start the repairs until earlier today.

A spokesman for the company said: “We will work as quickly and safely as possible in order to reopen the road as soon as we can.

“We have an estimated completion date of Wednesday 9 May, barring any unforeseen problems. However, we understand how inconvenient any road closures and diversions are, and will be working as quickly as possible to complete the repair and road reinstatement as soon as we can.”

Southern Water has attributed the damage to this week’s heavy rainfall.