Part of a busy road has been forced to shut while emergency roadworks take place – just weeks after it reopened.

Lower Rainham Road, at the junction with Pump Lane, in Rainham, will be closed to allow SGN engineers to deal with a gas escape.

The route had only recently reopened following another emergency closure by UK Power Networks last month.

The landlord of The Three Mariners, Steve Brinsley, previously said he lost “thousands of pounds a week” due to the constant road closures which prevented customers from getting to his pub.

Once again, the boozer, in Lower Rainham Road, is caught up in this month's emergency works.

Speaking to KentOnline, Mr Brinsley said: “It will affect us in the same way, people cannot get here or they cannot be bothered to get here.

"Everyone is affected. It is not just us, it is all long Lower Rainham Road. It is a busy road, it will affect everyone quite a lot.

“There is just roadworks constantly.”

A nine-kilometre diversion route is in place sending drivers along Lower Rainham Road, Station Road, the High Street, London Road, Ito Way, Yokosuka Way and Lower Rainham Road, and vice versa.

Part of Pump Lane and a section of Lower Rainham Road, between Bloors Wharf Road and Sharps Green, will be open for access only.

The route is expected to reopen on March 25.

SGN has been contacted for further information on the works.