Pictures have captured the extent of a possible sinkhole which has appeared on a railway bridge.

Ham Shades Lane in Whitstable will be closed for up to a week as Kent County Council investigates the cause of the issue.

A diversion was put in place after the busy route was closed off.

Images taken at the scene show a small hole has appeared in the road, which is across the embankment rather than over the railway line.

County and city councillor Neil Baker (Con) tweeted about the closure yesterday, saying highways workers were trying to "avoid the risk of anything collapsing on to the railway line below".

But Network Rail says it has "no concerns" about the bridge falling below.

A spokesman for the firm said: "The hole appears to be over the embankment leading up to the bridge, rather than over the railway.

"We’ll make sure we have a representative on site when Kent County Council does the excavation as a standard procedure, but we have no concerns."

It is understood the county council's highways team was unable to carry out excavation work at the scene yesterday.

This is because the hole was too close to the railway line, and it is standard practice not to work in this vicinity without specific permissions.

Network Rail will investigate the cause of the void and will inform KCC of the action that needs to be taken.

The road still remains closed to traffic and the "high risk area" has been barriered off to only allow pedestrians through.

But it is understood Network Rail could also advise KCC to seal the route off from those travelling on foot.

It is understood the county council will be carrying out the excavation today.

A spokesman for the authority said yesterday: "The road has been closed between Foxgrove Road and Pier Avenue, while investigations are underway to determine its cause.

"The closure is in place for an initial period of up to seven days with a diversion from Ham Shades Lane, Foxgrove Road, Thanet Way, Herne Bay Road, Kemp Road, Swalecliffe Road."

Cllr Neil Baker revealed on Thursday the closure was due to a possible sinkhole.

He announced online: "The depth of the defect is being investigated but the key thing is to avoid the risk of anything collapsing on to the railway line below."