Drivers will have to follow a three-mile diversion when part of a main road closes for repair works.

The team at Affinity Water will shut Canterbury Road in Folkestone so that they can complete a project that started in Churchill Avenue to replace a water main.

This work is essential to help reduce disruption from leaks and bursts, and help provide drinking water, bosses say.

In order to carry out the scheme, the A259 Canterbury Road will be closed at the junction of Hills Road roundabout for three weeks.

A spokesman for the water firm said: “The new main has already been laid along Churchill Avenue, but we need to close Canterbury Road to make the final connection of the new main onto the existing main which is in Canterbury Road.”

A three-mile diversion route will be in place for the duration of the project.

This will take drivers down Cherry Garden Avenue, Cheriton Road and Radnor Park Road.

The scheme will start on Monday (July 31) and carry on to Friday, August 21, with works being carried out seven days a week, 8am to 7pm.

The spokesman at Affinity Water added: “The works will leave more water in our precious environment and will help Affinity Water to continue to provide a reliable, supply of high-quality drinking water to you and your local community long into the future.

“We have been in contact with the parish council, the Highways Authority and transport teams at Kent County Council to minimise the impact of these works for the public.”

Furthermore, the water company has confirmed that residents' water supply could be affected during the project

A spokesman added: “We’ll post a card through your door in advance if there’ll be any interruptions.”