Drivers should allow extra time for journeys as repair work continues after a water main burst on the A249.

Delays built up on the exit slip-road of the M20 at Junction 7 for Maidstone this morning.

Kent Highways said traffic was running a little easier this afternoon.

The dedicated coastbound slip-road joining the A249 towards Sittingbourne and Sheppey has been closed since a water main ruptured on Thursday evening.

South East Water has been working since then to carry out repairs.

A spokesman for Highways England said: "The burst itself has now been fixed and work is ongoing to restore the local authority road back to its original condition.

"This involves repairs to the footpath which have been completed. Contractors are waiting for the surface to set before they can safely reopen the road to traffic.

"Work will start later this afternoon to restore the verge to its original condition."

A spokesman for South East Water said: "Due to the complicated repair, the materials removed from the excavation have had to be replaced with new and we have to let the ground settle.

"We are currently waiting for the concrete to set before we can return the road to normal.

"Although we may not always be there, this site is being constantly monitored.

"We will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so."

Highways England closed the slip-road for the A249 for the safety of drivers.

Traffic wanting to join the A249 is being diverted to the roundabout.

Visitors to this weekend's Heritage Transport Show were warned to leave plenty of time for their journeys.

Drivers may prefer to use junction 6 (Maidstone, Aylesford and Chatham) instead and take the A229 towards Bluebell Hill and then the M2.

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