The reopening of a main road blighted by a giant sinkhole five months ago has been pushed back once again as utility companies continue to carry out works.

Barming's infamous sinkhole opened up on May 28 and took a huge chunk of the Tonbridge Road with it causing misery for motorists and nearby businesses to suffer.

A chasm the size of a tennis court was found beneath the surface as contractors carried out their work at the junction with Farleigh Lane and Kent County Council had hoped to have the road reopened before the schools returned from their summer break.

However, a number of issues interrupted the schedule and KCC then said they would open the road on Saturday.

This will no longer be the case as the final pavement layer is put down and the site is cleared.

A statement said: "UKPN jointing works are complete and this now frees up site for the final reinstatement and surfacing of both footways, due this week between Kent County Councils reinstatement of the asphalt carriageway layers.

"BT Openreach remains on site at the current time undertaking its works however this has not delayed the commencement of the carriageway resurfacing."

KCC asks the public to be aware that the final activities are more susceptible to weather and rain and the volume of activities, is significant and they do depend on previous works being completed along a critical path.

Carriageway resurfacing was due to begin on Monday and be finished on Thursday while Friday was earmarked for relining of the new road surface as well as the intallation of traffic loops.

The weekend has been reserved in case of any works that overrun and the final paths may also have to be installed.

Sunday will see the installation of the final layer of surfacing and Tonbridge Road could be opened on Monday.