A motorway which has been shut for four days, causing chaos for drivers, has reopened this morning.

However, South East Water engineers have been carrying out repairs and reopened the stretch at 6am.

The work has been described as “complex” and until yesterday no timescale has been given for how long it would take.

Yet the water company has now confirmed work on a pipe more than three metres underneath the London-bound lane of the M26 is complete.

National Highways also resurfaced the carriageway before it is reopened earlier.

Head of operations at South East Water (Kent), Nick Bell, said: “We would like to thank these customers for their patience while this transfer took place, and to apologise to everyone affected by the motorway closure.

“A thank you also goes to all we have worked with at National Highways for their excellent support during this complex and difficult incident.”

The fault has had major knock-on effects for drivers, with increased congestion heading towards J3 of the M20 at Swanley Interchange this week.

Motorists have also been facing delays on the M20 from Junction 2 to Junction 1, with further traffic on the A2 and M2 stretching back to Junction 3 at Chatham.

Drivers have also been experiencing 40 minute delays from the A2 London-bound (Strood) to J2 of the M25 (Dareth Interchange) at Dartford due to the closure.

Work to repair the main has involved engineers working on both sides of the motorway.

This was in order to find faulty valves on the pipe before they could cut in two new ones at either end.

Meanwhile, people in Otford who have been receiving an alternative supply of water are now seeing their taps work as normal.

South East Water added on its website: “You should now see your taps flowing as normal.

“If your water looks brown in colour, please don’t worry as it is not harmful – this happens when small particles of iron within the mains are disturbed.

“Your water may also appear cloudy, or white – if you fill a glass of water and it clears from the bottom upwards then this means your water is just a little more aerated than usual.

“Simply run the water from your cold kitchen tap until the water is clear.”