Work to fix a 10ft sinkhole caused by a suspected collapsed sewer pipe will take longer than expected.

The void appeared in Hackney Road in the Fant area of Maidstone on July 11 but repairs did not begin for a fortnight.

Now, Southern Water confirmed it could take until August 16.

A statement on its website said: “Our teams suspected the collapse of a sewer pipeline, which has required the need for a road closure and diversion.

“Urgent works continue and unfortunately this has meant our permit has needed to be further extended.

“We thank customers in the area for their understanding and will be working as quickly and safely as possible to have this resolved.”

Hackney Road remains cordoned off by its junction with Milton Street - meaning motorists coming out of the one-way Milton Street must turn left and not right.

But some drivers have been ignoring the signs and have moved barriers to drive around them.

Fant resident Emma Archer-Simms said: “People are driving the wrong way down Milton Street, Dover Street and Pope Street, and with people mounting the kerb to get around.

“It could be a child who is seriously injured or killed.”

Another resident, Tracy Sultana, described the situation as “really dangerous”.

The road closure has also disrupted the Nu Venture 78 bus route.

The company said: “We are currently serving all the route except the section between St Michael’s Road and Hackney Road.

“So the bus is departing Maidstone on the normal line of route to St Michael’s, then going via the A26 and back in Fant Lane and Gatland Lane.

“In the other direction, it is leaving Gatland Lane, then going ahead to Fant Lane, Hartnup Street, A26, St Michael’s, then back on the normal route to Maidstone.”