A main route between Herne Bay and Canterbury has been reopened more than a week after it was closed.

The A291 Sturry Hill was sealed off late on Monday, April 30, at the junction with Old School Close because of severe damage from a blocked sewer.

Southern Water workers did not start the repairs until last Thursday and reopened it this afternoon.

A Southern Water spokesman said : “We're pleased to say that the road in Sturry Hill, Canterbury has been reopened.

"We'd like to thank our customers and road users for their patience while we completed this emergency work.”

The company attributed the damage to last week’s heavy rainfall.

Motorists have voiced their displeasure with the closure on social media.

Former Tory city councillor Peter Vickery-Jones said: “It’s caused all the buses to be diverted through Broad Oak and that’s made it an absolute nightmare.

“It’s not suited to such large vehicles and if you meet one of them on one of the narrower stretches of road you can get yourself into some difficulty.

“Whenever a major route into Canterbury is closed it causes congestion in other areas because everywhere is already filled to capacity.”