Massive water pipe laying work which was due to shut a busy road through a Kent village for half a year will be completed three months early.

Instead of finishing in early January, South East Water (SEW) now says the project will end in early November instead.

The B2163 from Leeds to Langley and seven surrounding back lanes were closed by South East Water to replace 535 metres of burst-prone infrastructure.

It will be good news for motorists forced to use the Willington Street, Maidstone, diversion as the link between the A20 and A274.

SEW's announcement will also be welcomed by businesses such as the Leeds pub, the George Inn, and tourist attraction, Leeds Castle, who feared an adverse effect on trading.

Although SEW has managed the road closures for the £460,000 project, the utility firm did so in close consultation with Kent County Council's highways officers.

Single track back lanes were shut to prevent vehicles using them as rat runs.

SEW bosses were mindful that previous closures of the B2163 had led to traffic jams, angry altercations between drivers, chewed-up verges and damage to private property.

Jeremy Dufour, project manager for South East Water, said: “We’re delighted to say that thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team, we were able to use a faster technique to lay the water main.

"All new pipework has now been installed and this has allowed us to review our programme.

“We announced at a recent public meeting that we would be finishing before Christmas, but I’m now able to confirm that we aim to have all work completed and leave the site by early November.”

The final stage of work will see the closure of Forge Lane. This was originally scheduled for January, but will now take place from October 16 for approximately two weeks.

Mr Dufour added: “It is our intention to lift all other road closures, including Upper Street, when we start work in Forge Lane. We are working hard to ensure this becomes possible, so that only Forge Lane will be closed, with a local diversion in place.

“We’d like to thank the community and motorists for their patience while we carried out this vital work.”

George Inn landlord Jason Tharp hopes the early closure will allow him and his wife Debbie to start planning for Christmas. Mr Tharp has stated that his takings have been signifiantly affected by the loss of passing trade.

Helen Bonser-Wilton, chief executive of Leeds Castle, was critical of shutting the B2163 at the start of the school holidays - the charity's peak visitor time - describing the decision as "crackers".

Residents in communities such as Chegworth and Otham complained bitterly that their single track roads were beseiged with motorists trying to avoid the lengthy diverson to Willington Street.