Fire crews will be removing a huge hose from the Sheppey Crossing tonight, as the water supply gradually returns to the Island.

Some residents were left without water for more than 48 hours following a fault in the main pipeline across the Kingsferry Bridge which carries water from the mainland.

Congestion is likely this afternoon as holidaymakers head for Sheppey, with one lane of two on the Sheppey Crossing still closed.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) announced that between 1pm and 3pm it would clear the hose line from the Ridham Dock area. During this time traffic will be managed across the bridge with the assistance of police.

Overnight tonight crews will remove the high volume pump hose on the Sheppey Crossing bridge, resulting in the closure of the carriageway bringing traffic on to the island, between midnight and 4am.

The hose, which itself sprung a leak sending jets of water into the air yesterday, has been essential for firefighting water and providing water for livestock that would otherwise have used public drinking water supplies.

On Wednesday, a major incident was declared on Sheppey, after an estimated 30,000 people were left without access to water during a heatwave.

Some homes and businesses are still without water, with bottled water being dished out from Tuesday afternoon in Leysdown, Sheerness and Queenborough.

It is estimated Southern Water will fork out at least £2 million in compensation to affected households and businesses on the island.

The main pipeline burst last weekend and was fixed initially but a second fault returned elsewhere in the system which was only fixed on Wednesday afternoon.

A spokesman for KFRS said of the Crossing closure: "During this closure, access for traffic will be via the Kingsferry Bridge. Thank you for your patience while this work takes place."