Workmen have started repairs to holes under the High Street and say works could be completed by the end of the month.

The craters appeared four weeks ago, forcing the busy road to be closed in both directions and forcing busses to have to find alternative routes.

The holes are believed to be part of a former viaduct built over the Plentybrook when the town was first being built, with drawings from the 1840s revealing the arches below the raised street level.

Kent County Council contractors have been investigating the extent of the holes on the 160-metre stretch, and have now began to fix the problem.

KCC deputy highways director Andrew Loosemore said: “We have instigated a programme to repair the road following a specialist engineering report on the underground chambers.

“While it was always a priority for us to open the road as soon as possible this needed to be done safely, taking into consideration utility service connections and the method of repair.

“These repairs will now many the road safe for the public to use. It will allow us to reopen the road in time for the key summer holiday period.”

The contractors will be working to fill in and reinforce the cellar-like chambers below the High Street, but Mr Loosemore has warned that further work would have to be done outside the peak tourist season.

He added: “To help local businesses, our work crews will be helping with access for shop deliveries where possible. We would ask residents and businesses to bear with us while we work to repair the road.”

Traders had feared lengthy closures to the road, which has left parts of the High Street deserted and takings down on important trading days.

Adrian Metcalfe from Rainbow Crafts said: “It’s a main artery through the town. Our concern is how long it could take. I don’t think closing the High Street for potentially three months is an option. Businesses could go bust.

“This is more than just tipping a little bit of cement in the holes. If it takes a long time, they have got put in traffic lights and repair one side of the road at a time, to at least allow some traffic through.”