Work should start this week to investigate a sinkhole that has closed a town centre street.

The hole in the surface of Gladstone Road, in Maidstone, is only about 12in wide, but appears to open onto a much larger void below.

It appeared just over a week ago, but Kent County Council (KCC) was waiting for this week’s half-term school holiday before beginning investigatory work.

Gladstone Road is heavily used by families accessing two local schools: St Paul’s Infants School in Hillary Road and Northborough Junior School in Peel Street.

Should KCC discover the hole is the result of a burst water or sewer main, they may pass on repairs to the appropriate water company.

Cllr Ian Chittenden (Lib Dem) has urged people to stay well away from the hole. He said: ”It is clearly larger than is visible on the surface, and deeper.”

He is hoping for a speedy reinstatement of the road.

He said: “Last week, some cars were driving the wrong way down Peel Street, through the ‘No Entry’ sign, in order to skirt round the sinkhole. “

“That was clearly dangerous, especially for parents and children crossing the road who would not expect to see cars coming the wrong way.”

David Winnet, who has a house in Gladstone Road, said: “Having the road closed is clearly causing a lot of inconvenience, especially for parents trying to get to the school at the end of the road.

“I do hope they start work soon and this doesn’t drag on like some of the other places have on Maidstone.”

A similar hole appeared in Hildenborough Crescent in Allington in July.

That one is still not fixed.